Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Busted for using free WiFi

  1. #1
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    521
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Busted for using free WiFi

    Finally had a chance to listen to one of the computer show mp3s I downloaded from a local radio station site.

    The host spoke about a man in Michigan who was busted for using the free WiFi provided by a cafe' in Michigan. He had been sitting in his car in front of the place for several days running, and ended up being questioned by a cop about what he was doing there on his computer. The host also talked briefly about other people being arrested for the same thing in Florida(guy charged with a 3rd degree felony), and Illinois and Alaska as well.

    Apparently, Michigan has a law, primarily aimed at hackers, so the penalty could have been 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In his case, though, the prosecutor is seeking a $400 fine and 40 hours of community service, plus he will not be charged with a felony.

    I think I'll stick to the free WiFi at our local library. Or the one square mile of downtown free WiFi provided at the city which borders the one where I live.

  2. #2
    Moderator Optimist's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2004
    Location
    House of Aion
    Posts
    8,074
    Thanks
    7,881
    Thanked 5,705 Times in 2,127 Posts
    My Mood
    In Love

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    That's absurd! If they wanted to block access they could put an access code on their wi-fi.
    “What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE

  3. #3
    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Gettin the fuck outta Dodge!
    Posts
    14,241
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    ^Yeah, but the guy was sitting there in his car for days?? I think he was asking for trouble - even if it's not illegal, anyone sitting in a car in front of a business for days is going to attract negative attention. He should've moved around.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

  4. #4
    Banned Katrine's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    13,855
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Yup, he was quite the idiot.

    "Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
    "And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M
    If a cupcake was tossed at me... well, I'd only be upset if it missed my mouth

  5. #5
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Purgatory
    Posts
    443
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette View Post
    ^Yeah, but the guy was sitting there in his car for days?? I think he was asking for trouble - even if it's not illegal, anyone sitting in a car in front of a business for days is going to attract negative attention. He should've moved around.
    Quite right, but a password is not that hard to crack in some cases, especially if it never changes.
    I've come a long way since I believed in anything, and I've come half way around the world.

    Where you come from is gone.
    Where you thought you were going to was never there,
    and where you are, ain't no good unless you can get away from it.

    -Quote from a mix of Ministry's "Jesus Built My Hot Rod"

    Help this cat on his quest for World Domination!

  6. #6
    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Paradigm City
    Posts
    6,784
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 13 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Though he was there and asking for trouble, if the establishment is marketing Free Wireless, and he's getting a 400 fine and 40 days service for using Free Wireless... I mean, hell, most of the signs I see at LEAST say "Our Customers can enjoy FREE WIFI" Which allows them to bust him for stealing.

    If it was a loitering charge, or whatnot, it would make more sense, but if they found him using the wireless for nothing Criminal and wasn't even parked illegally, seems to me that a warning should have been enough, and a citation being the next step MAYBE possible service time.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

  7. #7
    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Paradigm City
    Posts
    6,784
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 13 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Quote Originally Posted by cherryripeboyII View Post
    Quite right, but a password is not that hard to crack in some cases, especially if it never changes.
    It's not even ABOUT passwords. If you're offering free wifi, you're not going to create an un-easily-replicated form of authentication for the line. The guy would have to be a customer once, get the method of logging on then repeat. Most Likely. Anything above that would diminish Free Wifi's marketability, many of the ISP's spiffs to the store for using THEIR internet for Wifi, and just all around annoy the customer who has to jump through the hoops to log on.

    I mean, if the company took at least said that this is a service provided to their patrons, all the guy would have to do is show a receipt. The absence of one could at LEAST BE viewed as theft of services... then this would make more sense and be considered Just.

    The "ABSENCE" of "For our patrons" does not argue that it's assumed. Too many companies market Free WiFi and offer it without patronization of their establishment. You can tell this by ISP's that offer it through retailers telling you to go here for FREE Wifi with the intent that you may buy something while you're using it.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

  8. #8
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Purgatory
    Posts
    443
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Quote Originally Posted by Mastridonicus View Post
    It's not even ABOUT passwords. If you're offering free wifi, you're not going to create an un-easily-replicated form of authentication for the line. The guy would have to be a customer once, get the method of logging on then repeat.
    Uh Mast, that was what I getting at, I just didn't say it that clearly.
    I've come a long way since I believed in anything, and I've come half way around the world.

    Where you come from is gone.
    Where you thought you were going to was never there,
    and where you are, ain't no good unless you can get away from it.

    -Quote from a mix of Ministry's "Jesus Built My Hot Rod"

    Help this cat on his quest for World Domination!

  9. #9
    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Paradigm City
    Posts
    6,784
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 13 Times in 7 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Quote Originally Posted by cherryripeboyII View Post
    Uh Mast, that was what I getting at, I just didn't say it that clearly.
    I know, I was supporting your point.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

  10. #10
    God/dess Mr Hyde's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Tampa
    Posts
    4,035
    Thanks
    278
    Thanked 586 Times in 346 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Quote Originally Posted by Bridgette View Post
    ^Yeah, but the guy was sitting there in his car for days?? I think he was asking for trouble - even if it's not illegal, anyone sitting in a car in front of a business for days is going to attract negative attention. He should've moved around.
    Yeah, I agree. It's like a restaurant putting out tables in front of it's restaurant...sure, you can sit there, but you can't camp out there. What kind of loser sits in front of a restaurant for three days just to get free net access?

  11. #11
    Banned i.breathe.in's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2006
    Location
    ohio
    Posts
    4,967
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    i love my appartment complex i have a host of people who dont know how to secure their wireless connections, so i have lots of choices each day ahha.

  12. #12
    God/dess Lena's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2002
    Location
    On a sweet muddy river.
    Posts
    6,399
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 78 Times in 43 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    I'm doing it now, but I hide in the back of the van LOL



  13. #13
    Moderator Optimist's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2004
    Location
    House of Aion
    Posts
    8,074
    Thanks
    7,881
    Thanked 5,705 Times in 2,127 Posts
    My Mood
    In Love

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    ^^^HaaHaaa! Go Lena!
    “What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.” - ECKHART TOLLE

  14. #14
    Veteran Member
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Purgatory
    Posts
    443
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    Quote Originally Posted by Lena View Post
    I'm doing it now, but I hide in the back of the van LOL
    Ever wonder about the RVs parked outside of Best Buy?
    I've come a long way since I believed in anything, and I've come half way around the world.

    Where you come from is gone.
    Where you thought you were going to was never there,
    and where you are, ain't no good unless you can get away from it.

    -Quote from a mix of Ministry's "Jesus Built My Hot Rod"

    Help this cat on his quest for World Domination!

  15. #15
    Featured Member evan_essence's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Midwest USA
    Posts
    1,613
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    WTF. This is a prosecutable offense? The prosecuting attorney should have told the business to either secure their connection for only paying customers or else file a civil suit for damages and leave the government to pursue real crime. Wouldn't it have been enough to merely threaten the guy with legal action if he didn't move on?

    -Ev

  16. #16
    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    5,493
    Thanks
    120
    Thanked 50 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Re: Busted for using free WiFi

    If one reads the articles about this case, you would find the store didn't want the prosecution to go forward.

    The prosecutor chose to do so under the hacker law instead of a theft of services law.

    It really makes no sense and worthy of appeal. Hopefully he is wealthy enough to launch such a thing or he will remain a criminal.

Similar Threads

  1. WiFi for camming?
    By Glasses in forum Camming Connection
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 05-10-2012, 05:34 PM
  2. mobile/wifi internet recommendations?
    By Marleysade in forum Camming Connection
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-28-2011, 06:49 AM
  3. Free Picks Ups and Free Admission??
    By MysteriousMisty in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-29-2010, 07:17 AM
  4. Another WiFi question.
    By PhaedrusZ in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-28-2007, 11:46 PM
  5. for ohio dancers- article in the free times (free cleveland magazine)
    By A.n.a.l.a. in forum Stripping (was Stripping General)
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-19-2004, 02:29 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •