10 ways you might be breaking the law with your co

R

RadioPatrol

Guest
:coffee:

#4: State laws regarding access to networks

Many states have criminal laws that prohibit accessing any computer or network without the owner’s permission. For example, in Texas, the statute is Penal Code section 33.02, Breach of Computer Security. It says, “A person commits an offense if the person knowingly accesses a computer, computer network or computer system without the effective consent of the owner.” The penalty grade ranges from misdemeanor to first degree felony (which is the same grade as murder), depending on whether the person obtains benefit, harms or defrauds someone, or alters, damages, or deletes files.

The wording of most such laws encompasses connecting to a wireless network without explicit permission, even if the wi-fi network is unsecured. The inclusion of the culpable mental state of “knowing” as an element of the offense means that if your computer automatically connects to your neighbor’s wireless network instead of your own and you aren’t aware of it, you haven’t committed a crime — but if you decide to hop onto the nearest unencrypted wi-fi network to surf the Internet, knowing full well that it doesn’t belong to you and no one has given you permission, you could be prosecuted under these laws.

A Michigan man was arrested for using a café’s wi-fi network (which was reserved for customers) from his car in 2007. Similar arrests have been made in Florida, Illinois, Washington, and Alaska.

#5: “Tools of a crime” laws

Some states have laws that make it a crime to possess a “criminal instrument” or the “tool of a crime.” Depending on the wording of the law, this can be construed to mean any device that is designed or adapted for use in the commission of an offense. This means you could be arrested and prosecuted, for example, for constructing a high gain wireless antenna for the purpose of tapping into someone else’s wi-fi network, even if you never did in fact access a network. Several years ago, a California sheriff’s deputy made the news when he declared “Pringles can antennas” illegal under such a statute.
Click to expand...

:whistle:


So Building a better antenna for your wireless setup makes you a criminal ...
 
R

RadioPatrol

Guest
Mousebaby said:
Um, no, it said if you built one to get access to someone else's wi-fi then your a criminal.
Click to expand...



Can you not read ....

Several years ago, a California sheriff’s deputy made the news when he declared “Pringles can antennas” illegal under such a statute.
Click to expand...


it says nothing about illegal access ... Only Building an Antenna
 
Xaquin44

Xaquin44

New Member
RadioPatrol said:
Can you not read ....




it says nothing about illegal access ... Only Building an Antenna
Click to expand...

lol at you.

read the sentence before the one you quoted

lol

for posterity: This means you could be arrested and prosecuted, for example, for constructing a high gain wireless antenna for the purpose of tapping into someone else’s wi-fi network, even if you never did in fact access a network. Several years ago, a California sheriff’s deputy made the news when he declared “Pringles can antennas” illegal under such a statute.

It's illegal when used or intended to be used for the purpose. Like owning a sawed off shotgun is (I believe) illegal even if you don't use it.
 
R

RadioPatrol

Guest
Yes I am aware if illegal access of someone else's wireless network .....



the point was:

Several years ago, a California sheriff’s deputy made the news when he declared “Pringles can antennas” illegal under such a statute.
Click to expand...


the Cali Sheriff's Deputy declaring it illegal to simply build a better Antenna ... of which there are plenty to buy ....


Guns are Completely Different ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top