The Bandwidth Bandit
Parma Heights, OH
A woman was caught pirating a wireless connection from the parking lot of the Big Creek apartment complex. A police officer working security for the apartments located the woman in her car about 11:45 a.m. Thursday near the leasing office. The city prosecutor is reviewing possible theft charges against the woman.
Found in the Parma Sun Post
July 6th, 2007 at 8:15 am
So, what’s the crime? There’s no additional telephone, cable or power usage so, therefore, no additional charges. Was anyone hurt by the theft? On the other hand, how can this woman afford a laptop if she can’t afford a connectivity charge?
July 6th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Oops, I’m in trouble. And what’s up with this security guard? He saw a women using a laptop and investigated? Must have been a real slow night.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Over zealous cops are the problem!
This has been occurring worldwide for a while now and in every instance it has been decided that since it is an over the air connection (just like your cordless phone) is public domain.
Fortunately some of the people who run internet cafe’s and the like let it be known they don’t have a problem. And for those who get upset, like gdfunkrr says - “no crime - no foul” If they are THAT worried about somebody pulling up to the curb and connecting through their wireless then they really need to just go back to a cable (or better yet - send them back to dial-up H**l and see how they like it.
July 6th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I am sure it isn’t the first time she had been there doing that. Seems she better try to find another place to camp her @$$, because good ole Barney Fife 2000 will more than likely be looking for her to attempt it again.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
It’s not like it is hard to set encryption on your wireless router.
There is no additional charges for someone hanging out on your front lawn either but loitering is illegal just the same.
While there is no additional charges, I think the “thief” is against the person paying for the wireless service in the form of bandwidth and network speed. This woman used up some of the bandwidth paid for by someone else, slowed their connection down and possibly exposed them to any number of viruses, spyware and othe malware. I say hang her @ss!
July 6th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
l0l0l0l l0l0 l0l0l0l l0l l0l0l0l0l0l0l !!!!
July 9th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Well, most internet connections at libraries are free and most of them are wireless as well. The problem is that they close so darn early. I just sit out in their parking lot and do stuff (mostly homework). BTW, the laptop was a gift from my parents and I definitely cannot afford the hook-up.
July 10th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Stargazer quit reading Misfits and get back to your homework. Watch out for the flashing rad and blue lights and matrons wanting to see your library card.