Piggy-backing on someone's unsecured network? Is this dangerous?

Hey everyone...I am currently out of town and I located 6 available wireless networks, one of which is unsecured, so I am able to use it. I know I could hack into it and cause all kinds of havoc if I wanted to, but I mean absolutely no harm. Having said that, can the owner of the network find me using his network and somehow harm me/my laptop?

I have no real need to use someone else's network as I usually always tether to my Cingular Treo 750 at high rates of speed (1Mbps+) when in 3G areas. This is just a tad more convenient and faster.

Thanks for any input.

 

What you are doing is a gray area and depending upon the jurisdiction, could be illegal. Once you try to access anything on the host network, it is definately illegal. I'm not here to pass judgement and have my own little arsenal of wireless pigtail cards, antennas, cantennas and related software. You just need to be aware of what you are doing and the potential consequences both legally and in terms of "safe computing ". Should you stumble into the wrong connection, you might be in for a surprise and like Steve said, if you can see them, they can see you.

 

That's what I figured. lol...Don't scare me like that. So what could happen. Private info stolen?? Should I tether instead?

 

As I stated in my original post, I'm not here to try to do harm to anyone or anyone's network. That person didn't even rename the network SSID, so he/she is probably clueless about how to protect him or herself from hackers.

And I don't have any of the "tools" you mentioned, nor would I want any of them, except my integrated wireless card. It is STRICTLY a matter of convenience.

 

You need to be wary in case one of those unsecured hot spots is a honey pot. Your system could be accessed and private data stolen.

 

Can I do harm on someone else's wireless network

First of all when someone asks such a question it usually means that either they want to get a free connection or have one.

At least you have your singular connection.

First point is that you should ask if you wish to use the network.
If the owner knows anything ( which is highly unlikely if they do not have the skill or patience to get around to securing their wireless router) they can easily spot in various panels in the network configuration that you have been into their router and network.

There are several ways to look at this:

1) If the computers are updated properly so that there are no exploits or security holes into the computers directly and sharing of folders is turned off
it is highly unlikely that you will be able to get into their computers and data

2) If sharing is turned on and their are shared folders - documents etc you would have rights to read and if permissions allowed to alter data

3) What concerns me is if the router admin passwords were at default. You could get into the router. Change settings and read log if you turned it on.

4) I guess you might be perhaps able to retreive sensitive data in the log- where they went to etc. However a log is rather rambling.
I guess that some type of network sniffer could be used to get additional data perhaps even passwords if they were clear text. I remember that there was a bit of a fuss that some girl discovered that many hotels were using simple hubs and with a program like Cain she could see all of the passwords for emails ( they in this case were in clear text) on the whole network including the hotels cable ( non wireless network)

5) some people have said that you could introduce viruses and trojans into the network. I am told that without the NAT of a router any cable broadband internet connection can have viruses spread to it up and down the network from neighbours.


As said do not go into networks that you do not have permission to go into. Turn off your laptop/ PDA immediately/.


Question - what is the SSID of the biggest wireless lan in the world.

Is it

a) Linksys
b) Default

?

 

I hear you. And no, I'm not looking for a freebie. I can tether my Treo 750 to my laptop anywhere I have a Cingular connection. Las Vegas has excellent 3G coverage. I did it in Miami for a week and it was A-MAZING there as well. I am actually shocked at how well it works and reliable it is. Go Cingular!

I also agree with you that he or she probably doesn't know WiFi well enough to even change the default SSID.

But again I'm not looking to hack into anything. I don't want to change the router's settings, I don't want to browse anyone's computer files. You get the picture. It was just there. And I'm going to vote for a) Linksys LOL...

Crunch