Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Using the Coffeshop free Wi-Fi ??

fab5freddy

fab5freddy

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 21, 2007
1,206
7
Heaven or Hell
I am frequently at coffee shops
and hop on their Wi-Fi network.

Is that a potential security threat even if you have turned off file sharing ?

and that is legal, because the coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi....
 
I beleive the term you're looking for is STEALING the neighbors wifi.
 
also, i am frequently at coffee shops
and hop on their Wi-Fi network.

Is that a potential security threat ?

and that is legal, because the coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi....
 
why not post your IP and I take a look for you ;)

no, in all seriousness it is theft and also its very naughty! If you can afford a mac then get your own net connection. Its far safer than stealing from others (I have personally 'slapped' people for trying to steal mine and for leaving theirs open).
 
fab5freddy said:
also, i am frequently at coffee shops
and hop on their Wi-Fi network.

Is that a potential security threat ?

and that is legal, because the coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi....
Click to expand...

Not a large threat, just turn off file sharing.

There's a large difference between using commercial wifi, that's made available by a company, for the purpose of customers using it, rather than just going on your neighbours wifi whenever you want, your neighbours didn't give you permission, it would be like you stealing there water to have a shower...
 
Cassie said:


Although the OP did ask about his neighbors wi-fi, the post you quoted didn't have anything to do with that, just about coffee shops, which, when they offer free wi-fi, is perfectly legal to use.
Click to expand...

He said taking wifi is legal because coffee shops do it....

That or I really misunderstood what he was saying.
 
the question is whether my security is comprimised
if i jump onto a public coffee shop WI-Fi network......

If i turn off File Sharing, are they any other precautions i can take
to minimize the risk if i had to use the network ?
 
NT1440 said:
He said taking wifi is legal because coffee shops do it....

That or I really misunderstood what he was saying.
Click to expand...

Well, his original post (before he edited it) was right of earning your accusations. But as for that last post of his you quoted, he was asking if he was any danger browsing on a free wi-fi network at a coffee shop.

(Yes, I know I'm not helping the confusion here. :p Sorry. :eek:)
 
fab5freddy said:
the question is whether my security is comprimised
if i jump onto a public coffee shop WI-Fi network......

If i turn off File Sharing, are they any other precautions i can take
to minimize the risk if i had to use the network ?
Click to expand...
Well now we are in a whole different ball park arent we;):p


I'd say your pretty safe.
 
I have lived in various places and happily have never had password protection on my network. If anybody joins and does a little surfing or a small amount of downloads that is fine with me.

I would be upset if someone used way too much or for bad purposes, many people have no problem giving out some free wifi if they set up a free access network they know that friends can instantly connect etc...
 
fab5freddy said:
I am frequently at coffee shops
and hop on their Wi-Fi network.

Is that a potential security threat even if you have turned off file sharing ?

and that is legal, because the coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi....
Click to expand...

If you have your firewall on and set up for "stealth" it is safe from the outside world. (The router of the aforementioned coffee shop is likely to provide each MAC a IP device via NAT which will also help protect from the outside world.

As for the local network you should be quite safe with sharing off in that it is not like you're on it 24/7 giving some-one time to diligently hack you.

Your MAC address will be logged on their system.

If you were using the network for very illegal reasons and you bought the computer/ Airport card new or have it linked with an apple account it is traceable back to you. (though you would likely need to be a terrorist etc for a court to serve Apple a warrant to release your personal information)
 
NT1440 said:
Point being I'm not helping someone steal what costs others like $50 bucks a month.
Click to expand...

then why bother posting?? :|

djellison said:
1. It's breaking the law. People can, and have, been done for it.

It's theft.

2. I'm not going to come round your house and run my laptop off your mains sockets. Nor am I going to steal your bandwidth.
Click to expand...

1. yes that may be true.. but do you torrent? do you have illegal programs? do you ahve illegal movies?? EVERYBODY does illegal things.

2. goodluck getting into my home network, you couldnt do it if you tried.

fab5freddy said:
the question is whether my security is comprimised
if i jump onto a public coffee shop WI-Fi network......

If i turn off File Sharing, are they any other precautions i can take
to minimize the risk if i had to use the network ?
Click to expand...

the only other precaution would be to turn on your firewall fully. your computer wont be compromised. as long as you are not going onto websites that are unfamiliar and virus-ridden, you will be perfectly fine. dont open emails that you dont know and thats it! its the same as going through your own home network really. the threat of 'hackers' (meaning people that try hack your computer) is minimal.
 
fab5freddy said:
I can't find the Firewall feature in System Prefs....
Click to expand...

bloody hard to find isnt it!!

System Prefs>Security (up the top)>Firewall tab


ggjstudios said:
No, never.

No, never.

No, Never

Not everybody.
Click to expand...

i take it youve never sped or taken drugs or drove a little bit over the limit aswell>?>??

Cassie said:


Anyone who says they have never broken the law, is either ignorant of it or blatantly lying.
Click to expand...

spot on there cass :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back