Reply #120: Oh My! Here's my $.02

[Pied Piper]

About a year and a half ago, my apartment was flooded, and I needed to relocate for 2 weeks during the renovations. My apartment complex graciously moved me to another unit within our high-rise building. At the time, I had a landline, a work-owned cell phone, and dial-up access with Earthlink. I use an Apple PowerBook with built-in Airport Extreme, which I had disabled since I didn't have wireless at home. I haven't owned a TV for about 4 years, so I get all my info online. When I relocated, I decided not to transfer my phone line to the temp apartment, since it was only for two weeks. I sent an email to all my contacts and asked them to use my (company-owned) cell phone for that time period (with the blessing of my company - cool place to work, BTW...).

So, I get all moved in to the temp apt, and I set up my laptop, only to realize that since I had no phone at the new place, I had no internet access! What would I do for two weeks, with no TV, no internet, and most of my stuff in storage?!

On a hunch, I re-enabled my Airport Extreme card, and I was immediately connected to someone else's unsecured wireless access point. So I admit that I "borrowed" someone else's bandwith for two weeks. When all is said and done, I paid Earthlink for two weeks worth of dialup which I didn't use, and at the same time, I piggybacked on someone else's service. As far as I'm concerned, it all came out in the wash, as they say. Logically correct, but maybe not ethically correct. And no, I do not feel one whif of guilt.

I was so pleased with the speed of the (unauthorized) wireless speed, that when I moved back into my own apt, I immediately switched to Verizon DSL and ordered Apple's Airport Express wireless router. I have the whole business locked down securely.

I think it is the responsibility of the wireless router's owner to lock down the system. I work in a largely student area, and a few weeks ago, when I was at lunch with a colleague, I took out my Palm, which has built-in wireless, and I was able to connect to 7, yes, count them, 7, unprotected wireless routers, 3 of which were named "linksys"!!!

If I had a "Free Stuff!" sign in my front yard, and I left my front door wide open, I doubt that the insurance company would reimburse me for my soon-to-be-missing household items.

So there, my 2 cent's worth.