Wi-fi leeches! Hate 'em!

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 04:02 PM

In the past 3 days my internet connection has been terribly slow. At first I thought it was adware and so ran a check using 3 programs (including Adaware, which takes forever to scan!!), but it was still lagging. I then realized - a few weeks back we installed a wired/wireless combo router to accommodate 2 desktops and eventually a notebook (which I use on loan indefinitely). Could it be that someone nearby (a next door neighbour?) is leeching off our connection and is downloading huge amounts of MP3's or pr0n? So I reset our wireless network to have an encryption code, and Voila! My connection speed returned to normal! Bastards!

Anyone have a wi-fi leech story to tell?

***tabacco*** · 08-04-2005, 04:30 PM

Not really, but there are 3 open APs accessible from my living room.

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 04:40 PM

Eek. Those 3 people need to secure themselves.

Aj_ · 08-04-2005, 04:55 PM

Leeching? Hell no. How are they to know you are ignorant, you were sending them a signal, not the other way around. They didn't packet sniff and hack into your network, you shouted at them "Hello, welcome to my bandwidth friend."

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 05:04 PM

Thank you for your sympathy. And I'm no longer ignorant, thank you.

Aj_ · 08-04-2005, 05:27 PM

I could have possibly been more sympathetic, but I got blinded by the insults to people that don't deserve it. How would you like to be called a parasite or a bastard?

***fov*** · 08-04-2005, 05:28 PM

We have people in our area with unprotected wi-fi. One of the guys has the same router as us and never reset his password from the default. Geoff keeps joking that we should go in and f**k with his settings. (I said no.

)

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 05:37 PM

Do you know who the guy is, fov? You should let him know as a courtesy.

***fov*** · 08-04-2005, 05:41 PM

We were able to see his address, but it's not anyone I know. The guy lives around the corner. I'd feel weird knocking on his door and being like "Hey, we live down the street from you and we hacked into your wireless..."

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 05:45 PM

You would actually be preventing nasty things from happening, so if I were you I'd do it. If you can possibly find out who he is and tell him he'd be very grateful. Too many times viruses and other malices are spread because people just don't know.

pinkgothic · 08-04-2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aj_

I could have possibly been more sympathic, but I got blinded by the insults to people that don't deserve it. How would you like to be called a parasite or a bastard?

...that don't deserve it? Surfing for free on your costs, via your WLAN? I'd sure call that parasitic, regardless how obvious an open WLAN is.

Analogy: Just because I might've left my house door open does not mean the person going inside and stealing my stuff isn't a bastard arsehole. In the given scenario, I'm an idiot, yes, but that doesn't change the fact the person that came in and stole my stuff isn't a very nice man.

*Jake* · 08-04-2005, 06:59 PM

Wifi is meant to be free! Where's your love for your common man?

Also Trep I don't blame you for securing your connection. I love love love when people leave their access points open though... so good for emergency email checkage (my email, not theirs).

Aj_ · 08-04-2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkgothic

...that don't deserve it? Surfing for free on your costs, via your WLAN? I'd sure call that parasitic, regardless how obvious an open WLAN is.

I'd call that sharing.

Quote:

Analogy: Just because I might've left my house door open does not mean the person going inside and stealing my stuff isn't a bastard arsehole. In the given scenario, I'm an idiot, yes, but that doesn't change the fact the person that came in and stole my stuff isn't a very nice man.

Better analogy, if you are walking along a street and a house falls on you, you aren't trespassing. You are being sent a signal, not the other way around.

There are plenty of people who leave their wifi open for other people to connect to as they please. If anything, you are in the wrong for sending them the signal.

Sage · 08-04-2005, 07:25 PM

An even better analogy:
I'm walking along a street and see a house with the front door open. Is that an automatic invitation to go inside and take whatever I want? The open door can be seen from some distance away.

ScottMate

Fairygdmther · 08-04-2005, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

An even better analogy:
I'm walking along a street and see a house with the front door open. Is that an automatic invitation to go inside and take whatever I want? The open door can be seen from some distance away.

ScottMate

Only if you're in an adventure game.

Ducks and runs

Lynsie

Aj_ · 08-04-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

The open door can be seen from some distance away.

More like the door comes to you. Scrap that, they are trespassing into your home, who gives them the right to send unprotected signals to you?

artwking4 · 08-04-2005, 07:59 PM

I've got a better analogy. Some nice old lady bakes a pie and sets it on the window sill to let it cool. The pleasing smell of pie is wafting all over the place. Someone walks by, a neighbor or whatever, gets a whiff, and stands there enjoying the smell. Just sniffing and smelling.

If you don't want someone else smelling your pie, close your window. And by closing your window, it will make the wonderful smell of pie that much stronger in your home.

This was a brilliant analogy brought to you by me. Your friend.

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aj_

More like the door comes to you. Scrap that, they are trespassing into your home, who gives them the right to send unprotected signals to you?

Yeah right. Like those signals are trying steal your furniture and stereo system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

Also Trep I don't blame you for securing your connection. I love love love when people leave their access points open though... so good for emergency email checkage (my email, not theirs).

Jake

You bastard!!

Aj_ · 08-04-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

Like those signals are trying steal your furniture and stereo system.

Like the guys who are browsing the internet and checking mail are trying to steal your furniture and stereo system.

Is someone who smells your pie, listening to your music, using the water that sprays on them from your sprinkler system (off your property) stealing?
If they don't like your music, smell of your pie, or water then you are trespassing. If they like it then, they are allowing you to give them a signal.

Intrepid Homoludens · 08-04-2005, 08:23 PM

Yeah, whatever, Aj. Whatever. You can try to argue forever using the most delicious metaphors, anecdotes, and whatnots, but it doesn't change my mind. They're still bastards for piggybacking on my bandwidth.

Anyway.....

08-04-2005, 04:02 PM	#1
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Wi-fi leeches! Hate 'em! In the past 3 days my internet connection has been terribly slow. At first I thought it was adware and so ran a check using 3 programs (including Adaware, which takes forever to scan!!), but it was still lagging. I then realized - a few weeks back we installed a wired/wireless combo router to accommodate 2 desktops and eventually a notebook (which I use on loan indefinitely). Could it be that someone nearby (a next door neighbour?) is leeching off our connection and is downloading huge amounts of MP3's or pr0n? So I reset our wireless network to have an encryption code, and Voila! My connection speed returned to normal! Bastards! Anyone have a wi-fi leech story to tell? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

08-04-2005, 04:30 PM	#2
*tabacco* Friendly Server Admin Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 4,087	Not really, but there are 3 open APs accessible from my living room. Share Share this post on Twitter

08-04-2005, 04:40 PM	#3
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Eek. Those 3 people need to secure themselves. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

08-04-2005, 04:55 PM	#4
Aj_ Beyond Belief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Blighty Posts: 2,186	Leeching? Hell no. How are they to know you are ignorant, you were sending them a signal, not the other way around. They didn't packet sniff and hack into your network, you shouted at them "Hello, welcome to my bandwidth friend." Share Share this post on Twitter

08-04-2005, 05:04 PM	#5
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Thank you for your sympathy. And I'm no longer ignorant, thank you. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

08-04-2005, 05:27 PM	#6
Aj_ Beyond Belief Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Blighty Posts: 2,186	I could have possibly been more sympathetic, but I got blinded by the insults to people that don't deserve it. How would you like to be called a parasite or a bastard? Share Share this post on Twitter Last edited by Aj_; 08-04-2005 at 07:05 PM.

08-04-2005, 05:28 PM	#7
*fov* Rattenmonster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 10,404	We have people in our area with unprotected wi-fi. One of the guys has the same router as us and never reset his password from the default. Geoff keeps joking that we should go in and f**k with his settings. (I said no. ) Share Share this post on Twitter

08-04-2005, 05:37 PM	#8
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Do you know who the guy is, fov? You should let him know as a courtesy. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

08-04-2005, 05:41 PM	#9
*fov* Rattenmonster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 10,404	We were able to see his address, but it's not anyone I know. The guy lives around the corner. I'd feel weird knocking on his door and being like "Hey, we live down the street from you and we hacked into your wireless..." Share Share this post on Twitter

08-04-2005, 05:45 PM	#10
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	You would actually be preventing nasty things from happening, so if I were you I'd do it. If you can possibly find out who he is and tell him he'd be very grateful. Too many times viruses and other malices are spread because people just don't know. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

08-04-2005, 06:59 PM	#12
Jake The Dartmaster Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Rafael, California Posts: 3,084	Wifi is meant to be free! Where's your love for your common man? Also Trep I don't blame you for securing your connection. I love love love when people leave their access points open though... so good for emergency email checkage (my email, not theirs). Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ When on the Internet, visit Idle Thumbs \| Mixnmojo \| Sam & Max.net \| Telltale Games "I was one of the original lovers." - Evan Dickens

08-04-2005, 07:25 PM	#14
Sage Bad Influence Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Birmingham, Alabama USA Posts: 5,547	An even better analogy: I'm walking along a street and see a house with the front door open. Is that an automatic invitation to go inside and take whatever I want? The open door can be seen from some distance away. ScottMate Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Ignorance is bliss, denial is divine, and willful ignorance is a religious experience. Share the love. <3

08-04-2005, 07:59 PM	#17
artwking4 Jack Bauer loves you Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,524	I've got a better analogy. Some nice old lady bakes a pie and sets it on the window sill to let it cool. The pleasing smell of pie is wafting all over the place. Someone walks by, a neighbor or whatever, gets a whiff, and stands there enjoying the smell. Just sniffing and smelling. If you don't want someone else smelling your pie, close your window. And by closing your window, it will make the wonderful smell of pie that much stronger in your home. This was a brilliant analogy brought to you by me. Your friend. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. Heinlein

08-04-2005, 08:23 PM	#20
Intrepid Homoludens merely human Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 22,309	Yeah, whatever, Aj. Whatever. You can try to argue forever using the most delicious metaphors, anecdotes, and whatnots, but it doesn't change my mind. They're still bastards for piggybacking on my bandwidth. Anyway..... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ platform: laptop, iPhone 3Gs \| gaming: x360, PS3, psp, iPhone, wii \| blog: a space alien \| book: the moral landscape: how science can determine human values by sam harris \| games: l.a.noire, portal 2, brink, dragon age 2, heavy rain \| sites: NPR, skeptoid, gaygamer \| music: ray lamontagne, adele, washed out, james blake \| twitter: a_space_alien

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