Have You Ever Piggyback on a Wireless network?

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what is piggyback on a wireless network?

As I sit here typing on my laptop, surfing on Certforums I can see various wireless networks around me and 1 which is unprotected??
Why, would someone do that is because they don't how to make it secure or just like to share the connection.

I wondered what if my Belkin network wireless router had no security. What would happen?

Would people Piggyback.
Sure enough they did 6 people piggy backed onto my internet connection. Maybe they thought by keeping the packets down I would not notice they where sharing my internet wireless connection. But i can see who is connected and their MAC address of the PC, through the software interface on the router. I could block it or switch on my security again!

But how do you know if someone is piggybacking without looking at the router software? Do you notice a drop in your connection or look at the status of the packets coming in and out of that connection?

But it is interesting, is piggybacking on someones connection wrong?

Obviously if they start downloading films but I was reading on another forum one guy said:-

"I only piggybacked once and I swear it was an emergency, my connection was down and I needed to send an urgent email... really! I do think it is wrong and I seem to remember some story about a guy who had been arrested for doing so. Please don't turn me in!!! Hey, maybe we could turn this into a way to educate and help our neighbors!"

Just wondering what people's opinions are on this topic has anyone piggyback and would they even admit to it?

 

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Yes I did twice but I knew the guy and asked his permission first!

My ADSL line was down and I needed to get online to connect to my broadband provider and test the connection.

I don't know if that counts!

The other was to see how many people were sharing this other connection in the neighbour hood. just curiousity.

 

I use a wired network but I did have it wireless at one stage and could see about 4 or 5 unsecured networks around me. Some people either are not educated enough or they are stupid.

 

Was there a reason for switching over to wired connection?

Do you prefer wired connection to wireless?

 

It was because I had a bad connection when wireless, I am not sure if I live in a deadspot but I can hadley get a mobile phone signal where I live and I am surrounded by hills n stuff. It could have been the generic brand wireless adapter that came with my PC. So I just went into a wired connection instead.

 

No I haven't and no I won't.

 

I havent, but its scary how many people leave the backdoor open so to speak.

Where I live there is 4-5 that were open. We're a friendly neighbourhood so I told them and helped them sort it out.

 

Impressive, -well done

 

No, I wouldn't piggyback - it's not mine to use. Additionally, it's against the ToS of some ISPs to allow people to piggyback onto your connection.

 

No. I use a wired network at home. When I got my laptop as a christmas present from my boss (the whole company got one) I had a wireless network, but I switched it off. Why? My home connection is much faster then 54 Mbit (1 Gbit internally and 100 Mbit over fiber to the net) and second: I don't use what is not mine.

 

Not sure if this counts...

I've piggybacked on a wireless connection.
1) When the Toronto Hydro launched their city WiFi it was free to use as part of their marketing / awareness campaign.

2) I get to test various products, and recently it's been wirelss access. From WiMAX; HSPA; EVDO Rev A; etc... Since their not technically mine and I do personal stuff with them too, I guess it counts as piggybacking - although I don't think it's what you meant

3) I don't use other peoples access. In addition to an ethics thing, I just don't trust everyone. If I can setup a honeypot and anaylze traffic - others can do it to me!

 

I know we've done this one before but a mobile phone 'deadspot' is likely to be because of poor coverage because you are too far away from the mast or there are large objects like hills obstructing.

Since you place your own WiFi transmitter/receiver in your house it should work certainly in the same room as long as nothing else is transmitting in the area on the same frequency/channel. It should also work upto possibly 50m or at least 5m give or take the odd wall, as long as wall doesn't contain any metal or shielding.

Signals travel differently depending on the strength, wavelength and medium.

 

Then it's not piggybacking... you're authorized to use them. From the link:

 

I am with the Big Dog on this. If it is not yours. Put it back.

 

BM can you explain what you mean by ToS?

 

Ummm...

SInce part of my job used to involve pen testing, I think its safe to say 'Yes'

 

Terms of Service. Break the ToS, and they usually reserve the right to cancel your service without warning.

 

as far as I am aware there is no metal shield in the walls, my house is 300 years old, all the walls contain is copious amounts of lime.

The wifi card in my pc was 3 meters away from the router and I wasn't even getting dial up speed.

 

Your home is 300 years old? I want pictures of that gbl. Over here that would be called a historical home.