Half of Web users admit Wi-Fi theft

In brief More than half (54 percent) of computer users admit to using someone else's Wi-Fi without permission, according to research.

Many Internet-enabled homes fail to secure their wireless connection properly with passwords and encryption, allowing others to steal access rather than pay an ISP, according to IT security company Sophos, which carried out the 560-strong survey.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, said borrowing Wi-Fi internet access may feel like a victimless crime but it deprives ISPs of revenue.

Furthermore, if users hop onto their next-door neighbour's wireless broadband connection to download movies and music, chances are that they are also slowing down their neighbour's Internet access and using their download limit, Cluley added.

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...deprives ISPs of revenue. Christian Heinrich -- 19/11/07

How? on the other hand Graham states "using their download limit" - ISP charge extra once you exceed your download limit.

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Sample bias Anonymous -- 19/11/07

This is a ridiculous story to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Half of the people motivated to respond to a survey about WiFi security admit it, which is a far cry from half of all computer users.

It is a long, long time since Internet and computer use were the exclusive preserve of computer experts. These days most of the population are Internet users, and I am sure more than half would not even know how to use someone else's WiFi.

Forgive me from being cynical, but perhaps Sophos have something to gain from spreading this kind of misinformation.

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Might as well Anonymous -- 19/11/07

just publish the Sophos press release, cut out the middle man..

http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2007/11/wi-fi.html?_log_from=rss

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Revenue Anonymous -- 19/11/07

1) Not all ISPs charge when you exceed your quota
2) If people are using someone else's data without paying for it, then that means they're not subscribing to an ISP themselves.

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Quota Christian Heinrich -- 19/11/07 (in reply to #320090102)

Can you tell me which ISP doesn't charge when you exceed your quota as that's their agenda for having a quota?

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Easy Anonymous -- 19/11/07 (in reply to #320090124)

iiNet for a start.... and really that is just a start... they shape you when you hit your quota no charge you

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Thks 4 Clarifying Christian Heinrich -- 19/11/07 (in reply to #320090125)

Yes - I know unwired also shape traffic (i.e. by reducing the bandwidth). Thks 4 clarifying

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Quota "Shape"? Anonymous -- 24/11/07 (in reply to #320090125)

Surely when you say "Shape" you really mean drastically cut the data rate to a pace that makes snail mail look fast.

Do a data speed test on the "Shaped" service and include that in the speed test results - no don't do that - it won't look good enough for 'Telstra bashing'!

Face it (IT) - if you are stupid enought to leave your front Internet door open - then expect human dogs to deficate on your carpet, drink your beer and smash your vehicle!

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Stealing WiFi Bill Caelli -- 19/11/07

Perhaps a special note to Senator Coonan following this Sophos Press Release - remember a good proportion of Australia will, under OPEL and the policy of the Liberal Government, be forced into using wireless based Internet connectivity services and does she expect them all to be security experts? Setting up wireless based home and SME networks in a secure manner to start and then to maintain that security is not a simple matter for the ordinary user who just wants some form of decent Internet access ( up to 15Mbit/sec). What is the Minister's solution? Free classes at those Federal TAFE colleges?

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Bill Anonymous -- 19/11/07 (in reply to #320090117)

It is a simple matter, the router comes presecured with the key supplied job done...

It already happens, seems a sensible idea for home targerted services

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Ah Bill... Anonymous -- 26/11/07 (in reply to #320090117)

The WAN side in the OPEL WiMAX rollout is wireless Bill.

Since it will cost the operators (Elders/Optus) and the ISP money if unauthroised users steal bandwidth via an unsecured access network, you can bet it will be pretty bloody secure.

This article is talking about people stealing bandwidth via the LAN side, which may or may not be wireless in OPEL, depending on the modem/router supplied.

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Why not Anonymous -- 19/11/07

Imagine getting lost in a city that you do not know and have the ability to hook into a WiFi spot and call up whereis for directions.

there are some great spots in Toorak, I'm guessing that they could probably afford it....

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Stealing Wifi Anonymous -- 20/11/07

Some people would not even know if their computer is connected to their access point or their neighbour's.

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Those Commandment Thingies Anonymous -- 25/11/07 (in reply to #320090194)

10: Thou shalt not covert thy neighbour's WiFi (even if they are Donkeys and have not veiled it from your Internet sights)!

(Apologies to Deuteronomy 5:21)

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