In the two places I have used my iBook, I have found a total of seven things it could talk to wirelessly - six networks and one single computer1. Of the six networks, one was password protected, one had the name changed2 and the remainder were completely open and with default names.
Did I join these networks for free broadband? Yes, though only to visit this page, and google for ‘stealing wifi‘. One of the networks vanished the next day. Public service hacking ;-).

I was amazed to find that finding open access was as easy as not even trying. ‘Borrowing’ open wifi - reasonable or weasely theft?

1 Named ‘dormouse’ which I thought was nice.
2 Causing confusion - it was named STEVED (which is my brother’s name [as I am IanD]), though after turning off is PC (which contains no known network card) and taking the battery out his mobile, the network persisted. Also strange someone change the name, but not secure it3.
3 Does this mean ‘I know that other people can find my wireless and am happy to let them’?, ‘I am no good at remembering passwords’?, or ’security? what’s that?’.

Posted in Technology, iBook |