Survey

Tomas Lannestedt, ProPrat, LANeye Publisher

Tomas Lannestedt

ProPrat

(Publisher of LANeye)

Software for Network Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Preventions.

59% thinks it's OK to use someone else's wireless network

and 29% of LANeye user group think so too!

In a web survey during April-08 by ProPrat (Publisher of LANeye), 59% said it's OK to use someone else's wireless network. LANeye.com visitor where asked to answer YES or NO to the following question:

"Is it OK to use someone else's wireless network if the network is open and not encrypted?"

www.laneye.com visitors

The same question was sent out to the LANeye user group in an e-mail, where 29% answered YES.

Registered LANeye users

LANeye users answering YES also commented this question with words like:

- "If not encrypted, the owner signals that it is OK since WLAN router manuals tells how to protect and active encryptions"

- "It's so convenient when traveling to be able to hook up to an open WLAN"

- "If you not cause any damage it's OK"

LANeye users answering NO commented the question as "tricky" and expressed mixed feelings about this. Some said "absolutely NOT ok"

The question "Is it OK..." is a moral question and that can explain these mixed feelings. Some may say that they like to use others wireless Internet connections but don't want others to use their own WLAN.

/Survey by ProPrat May 2008

Other surveys shows that piggybacking on others wireless network is popular.

54% have admitted using someone else's wireless Internet access without permission according to research carried out by Sophos on behalf of The Times in November last year.

A survey performed by Accenture presents another figure, 12% admitted to have been piggybacking on someone else's network. However in the age span 18-34, the number was almost one third according to Network World.

Illegal or not is another question and may differs from country to country. In England, Wifi "tapping" or "piggybacking" is illegal. Anyone found guilty of using someone else's broadband connection without permission faces a maximum fine of £1,000 and up to five years in jail.

Up until November last year 11 arrests have been made in UK for crimes also known as "freeloading"

Also in US people have been caught. First case in Florida 2005, a man was prosecuted for unauthorized access to computers or network, after been caught accessing a home Wifi network in St. Petersburg, FL from a parked car.