Wi-fi piggybacking is OK, say silicon.com readers

It seems piggybacking on unsecured wireless networks shouldn't be a crime, according to a number of silicon.com readers, some of which are happy to leave their wi-fi open for others to use.

With many homes failing to adequately secure their wireless networks, computer users in the vicinity are able to use bandwidth without having to pay an ISP for the privilege.

And readers were quick to respond to a silicon.com article that reported research suggesting more than half of computer users have used wi-fi without permission.

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Ollie Clark, a software developer from Leeds, said: "Surely if you advertise your unsecured wireless network to people by broadcasting its name and the fact that it's unsecured, you're inviting them to use it."

He added: "If I stick a tap outside my gate with a sign on it saying 'Drinking Water' I wouldn't expect the police to arrest anyone drinking from it. Why is wireless any different?"

Another reader said: "You wouldn't leave your front door wide open when you're not standing in front of it, so why leave your wireless connections unsecured?"

And some readers said they actually keep their wi-fi deliberately unsecured for others to use.

One reader said: "I'm one of those home users that has not secured their wi-fi router (deliberately) and no one is stealing anything from me. When I need the full bandwidth for myself, I just 'throttle' other piggyback users!!"

Another reader said: "Why does everyone assume an unsecured network is that way by accident? I leave mine open just so people can use it."

This reader added: "Complaining to the police about someone 'stealing' your unsecured internet access is like complaining that your neighbours are 'stealing' from you when the smell of your rose bushes wafts into their windows."

Another reader agreed: "I leave my home wi-fi unlocked so people do have the use of it. An unsecured [wireless network] should be, by default, public and no offence committed by using it."

Another reader explained they're happy to have their wi-fi used by others partly as a "community payback for all those unsecured wi-fi networks I used on my travels before hotspots became common".

Readers didn't have much time for ISPs losing out on revenue either. One reader said: "I'm sorry, but if they're stupid enough to provide the great British public with automatically unsecured routers as part of their 'service', then it's only to be expected that anyone with an iota of initiative will think about taking advantage."

Another added: "Would it not be logical to look to the equipment suppliers/manufacturers to make the equipment secure to begin with?"