Wi-fi piggybackers 'fess up

More than half (54 per cent) of computer users admit to using someone else's wi-fi without permission, research reveals.

Wireless from A to Z

Click on the links below to find out more…

A is for Antivirus
B is for Bluetooth
C is for The Cloud
D is for dotMobi
E is for Email
F is for FMC
G is for GPS
H is for HSDPA
I is for i-mode
J is for Japan Air
K is for Korea
L is for LBS
M is for M2M
N is for NFC
O is for Operating systems
P is for Pubs
Q is for QoS
R is for Roaming
S is for Satellite
T is for TV
U is for UMTS
V is for Virgin
W is for WiMax
X is for XDA
Y is for Yucca
Z is for Zigbee

Many internet-enabled homes fail to secure their wireless connection properly with passwords and encryption, allowing others to steal internet 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.

And if you hop onto your next door neighbour's wireless broadband connection to download movies and music from the net, chances are you are also slowing down their internet access and impacting on their download limit, Cluley added.

Dishonestly using an electronics communications service with the intent to avoid paying is breaking the law - and it's something police are increasingly taking seriously.