[Tfug] Re: warchalking

[Tom Rini]

On Sun, Jun 30, 2002 at 04:06:25PM -0700, klsmith wrote:
> Tom Rini wrote:
> 
> >On Sun, Jun 30, 2002 at 10:11:46AM -0700, klsmith wrote:
> >
> >>Tom Rini wrote:
> >>
> >>>On Sat, Jun 29, 2002 at 11:43:27AM -0700, klsmith wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>I personally will never wardrive because I'm not up for the hassle of 
> >>>>dealing with a system gone wrong (government).  However if I were to 
> >>>>and was ever charged for doing no more than using available bandwidth, 
> >>>>I would make Nick's argument.
> >>>>
> >>>>"...attempting to procure a lease, by definition, is ASKING for
> >>>>authorization to access the network. DHCP OFFER is analogous to you
> >>>>welcoming a hobo knocking at your door in for dinner."
> >>>>
> >>>That's a really bad argument since you're picking nits about how the
> >>>technology works, not how the controlling entity set things up.  The
> >>>intent (quite probably, unless they're offering free wireless
> >>>connectivity to anyone walking buy) is that only authorized users would
> >>>be attempting to connect in the first place.
> >>>
> >>>Technically the technology said 'sure, come on in!', but computers
> >>>aren't the ones who legally are responsible for the policy.
> >>>
> >>>The fact is that unless you've got explicit permission for the legal
> >>>entity behind/responsible for the connection, there's not really a
> >>>difference between sitting in your car and connecting vs running a
> >>>really long enet cable out of an open window.
> >>>
> >>Have you ever seen what goes on in a court room.  This would be an 
> >>excellent argument and a compelling one at that.
> >>
> >
> >No, I think what Jon said would be more likely.
> >
> >Seriously tho, just because the companies computer said 'Yes, please get
> >on my network', who allowed you to ask that computer the question in the
> >first place?  This isn't any different sitting in their lobby, seeing an
> >enet jack, plugging in and running dhcp.  If they find out, they'll most
> >certainly kick you out and could do alot more.
> >
> Maybe!  If I'm setting in the lobby and they have a HOT port there and I 
> use it to check my mail, why would I not think a HOT port was placed 
> there for my waiting convenience?

Because the odds are at least equal, if not better that the port is
there due to furniture movement/office movement and it just happens to
be there.  If there was a phone port too would you plug in a phone and
call someone?

> Maybe they are nice to the people who wait in their lobby.

Without some sort of sign?   But following your assumptions through,
you're going to assume that all of the wide-open wireless networks are
there for the convenience of people passing by?

-- 
Tom Rini (TR1265)
http://gate.crashing.org/~trini/