If it's an offence to use someone elses internet connection then why have wi-fi enabled mobile phones


They hunch over laptops in their cars on neighbourhood streets, tapping into other people's wireless broadband connections for some free time online, and are fast becoming criminals of the internet age.

Wi-Fi theft leaves no fingerprints and keeps its distance, but thousands are at risk because they don't adequately password protect their wireless accounts.

Using the strong broadband signal of the neighbours may seem relatively harmless but it can now result in a criminal record.

In the past month two people have been arrested for using other people's wireless connections without permission in Worcestershire, in what are believed to be among the first cases of their kind. A man was spotted by residents using a laptop while parked in his car outside a house in Redditch. In an unconnected incident, a 29-year-old woman was arrested following a similar incident, also in Redditch, earlier in the month.

They received a caution for dishonestly obtaining electronic communication services with intent to avoid payment.

PC Tony Humphreys, from West Mercia police, said: "Wireless networks don't stop at the walls of your home - without the necessary protection, neighbours or people in the road may be able to connect to your network. This might slow down your service, or more importantly, your connection could be used for unlawful purposes."

Most wireless networks are unsecured when first set up, but can be configured to stop unauthorised users accessing them.

Jason Lloyd from advised people to check their connections."This could be accessing your connection to download obscene material or even steal your identity," he said.

I can't get the wireless to work from the living room to the hall,
So the fuy in the street or the neighbour has naff all chance.