4 million Brits have had their Wi-Fi hijacked

Noreen · Nov 30, 2009, 17:34:39

QuoteOver four million web users have had their Wi-Fi connection hijacked in the last year, says Moneysupermarket.com.

According to research by the comparison website, 19 percent of Brits don't password-protect their internet access at home. Furthermore, 24 percent said they didn't know Wi-Fi hijacking was possible.

Moneysupermarket.com said 15 percent of web users admitted to using someone else's web connection. The comparison website said Wi-Fi hijackers were most likely to use someone else's internet access to surf the web, although emailing, downloading large files and streaming content using service such as Spotify or the BBC iPlayer were also popular activities................

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=3207697

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 17:37:20

I guess we're not really surprised, are we. OTOH, they're going to get a wake up call with the three strikes concept.

Glenn · Nov 30, 2009, 17:45:47

I wonder how a defence of having an unsecured WIFI connection and no illegal files on your PC would stand up in court. Will it be that you are responsible for your allocated IP address without exception?

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 17:49:03

We'll only know if it's tested, Glenn, but I suspect that people will be held responsible for what passes through their router.

dujas · Nov 30, 2009, 17:50:08

It doesn't appear to be an adequate defence:

A pub owner has had to pay £8,000 after someone used its open wireless hotspot to download copyrighted material unlawfully, says the managing director of the hotspot provider The Cloud.

Kiss goodbye to free wifi

john · Nov 30, 2009, 17:53:25

Quote from: Rik on Nov 30, 2009, 17:49:03
We'll only know if it's tested, Glenn, but I suspect that people will be held responsible for what passes through their router.

I imagine that you are correct Rik, as you can have one router but several PC's only one of which might have copyrighted data and which is not declared.

As dujas says this might be the end for free WiFi.

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 17:54:49

Well, the lawyers are going to get rich, that's for sure.

somanyholes · Nov 30, 2009, 18:06:35

I have a plan...

someone needs to go within range of mandelsons home. Download a lot of hardcore copyrighted pornography and then get caught. This would sort the whole thing out as well as causing a large amount of embarrassment for mandelson, which all in all would be a good thing.

dujas · Nov 30, 2009, 18:14:00

QuoteWell, the lawyers are going to get rich, that's for sure.

If this article is true, then yes, very rich

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 18:22:30

Sickening isn't it.

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 19:10:53

Indeed, but then, lawyers usually are.

Rik · Nov 30, 2009, 19:16:22

Yup. Nearly as bad as accountants.

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 19:27:16

Oh, that's just going too far, Rik, and very unfair to lawyers.

kinmel · Nov 30, 2009, 19:36:44

NuLab as ever are ahead of us all and as ever the devil is in the hidden detail............

According to the usually reliable Out-Law website

A previously unnoticed provision in the Bill could mean that it is impossible to operate a wireless, or Wi-Fi, network without the risk of breaking the new law, according to Edwards, who is Professor of Internet Law at the University of Sheffield.

The Bill says that action can be taken not just against someone suspected of infringing copyright but also against "a subscriber to an internet access service [who] has allowed another person to use the service, and that other person has infringed the owner's copyright by means of the service".

"A lot of people secure [their Wi-Fi networks] but a lot of people don't," Edwards told technology law podcast OUT-LAW Radio. "I think there is a strong likelihood that having unsecured Wi-Fi might well be seen as allowing other people to use their service which means that effectively you would become responsible for their alleged copyright infringement."

Under the Bill it would be impossible to run a free Wi-Fi network without the fear of being liable for strangers' copyright infringements, she said.

D-Dan · Nov 30, 2009, 21:20:06

Quote from: Rik on Nov 30, 2009, 19:16:22
Yup. Nearly as bad as accountants.

Hmphhhh!

Lance · Nov 30, 2009, 23:11:45

Which reminds me, you've not paid your bill yet Rik!

Simon · Nov 30, 2009, 23:28:42

You won't see that in a hurry!

john · Nov 30, 2009, 23:59:15

If Idnet changed their name to 'Donald Russell' there's a 50/50 chance they might get it

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 09:05:30

Quote from: Lance on Nov 30, 2009, 23:11:45
Which reminds me, you've not paid your bill yet Rik!

The duck's on holiday.

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 09:05:58

Quote from: john on Nov 30, 2009, 23:59:15
If Idnet changed their name to 'Donald Russell' there's a 50/50 chance they might get it

Make that a racing certainty.