Leeching off the neighbors?

[Odesseiron]

Okay sooo... as title says. I usually download stuff through my own network. It's not broadcast, and secured by a 128 bit WEP key, so nobody is getting in. I live in a building, so there are obviously a ton of wi-fi connections. Some of them are dumb enough to leave them unsecured. My question. I switch to one of these unsecured connections to torrent and such, the person who's IP I'm using would get any notices, correct? I never have any problems, but why risk it? Learn to secure your fucking network. I can't imagine I'm the only one who has though of doing this. Thoughts?

[Omnipotent]

Pretty much, if you use their internet, they are at fault for anything illegal you do using it.

[Darus Grey]

In the unlikely scenario they can figure out who it is(like your PC name is your real name or apartment number...) is it illegal.

[Kaisha]

Might want to use something other than WEP for your own securiity since it's a joke to crack in 5-10 min with the proper software/hardware.

At any rate, for connecting to the neighbours, protect your own ass and find a means of spoofing your MAC address and change the name your computer uses on the network, and don't use any websites that may give out information about you.

[Odesseiron]

Might want to use something other than WEP for your own securiity since it's a joke to crack in 5-10 min with the proper software/hardware.

At any rate, for connecting to the neighbours, protect your own ass and find a means of spoofing your MAC address and change the name your computer uses on the network, and don't use any websites that may give out information about you.

I honestly am not concerned about the WEP key, as none of the neighbors (from what I know) are bright enough to figure it out. I haven't had a problem in the 10 years I've had it.

I changed the name of my PC. I'm sure I can google the answer just as fast as anyone here responds, but how do I go about changing my MAC addy? And yeah, I'll only use my torrent network for obvious reasons.

[Bloodfire]

I honestly am not concerned about the WEP key, as none of the neighbors (from what I know) are bright enough to figure it out. I haven't had a problem in the 10 years I've had it.

I changed the name of my PC. I'm sure I can google the answer just as fast as anyone here responds, but how do I go about changing my MAC addy? And yeah, I'll only use my torrent network for obvious reasons.

As far as I know MAC addresses cannot be changed. They are unique to whatever device they are assigned to. I mean I'm sure there is software out there that would state otherwise, but none that I know of.

As far as your OP though. Keep in mind every NIC card and wireless adapter has it's own IP address, while the router has a MAC address. The ISP uses that MAC to enable the router to allow PCs on the network to access the internet. So, know this, if you torrent on your PC and Law enforcement wants to know what PC did the crime, they WILL know it was your PC and not your neighbor's. MAC address has nothing to do with it. They don't care that your leeching off your neighbor's network, they care about what PC did the crime and who was operating said PC when it happened. I may be going to the extreme about that, but also know that if an ISP feels that a user is doing illegal activity with their systems, they CAN limit your bandwidth in an attempt to discourage you. Not saying that it happens all the time, but they have the power to do so.

[Cephius]

You can easily spoof a MAC address. Put "how to spoof a mac address" in google, it's pretty simple.

[Cream Soda]

Been leeching off various neighbors for the past 4 years, never been caught. PC name now is Linux-pc, but I've had "department of corrections" before lol

[Norellicus]

never been caught

This is the significant portion of your statement and in no way limits your liability if someone were to pursue action against your activities

[Jefe]

W/ BT is a breeze, just type: macchanger --help and it will give you a list of options. If you have Win then check your wireless driver, the newer ones from intel won't let you do this. So you have to use this app to spoof it and uninstall the old drivers (intel 3945ABG).

[Kaisha]

Using a wifi usb dongle would cover up the system's own mac address no? If shit happens, hide the stick. ;/

[xerodok]

In reality, if you're just torrenting, the government isn't going to come looking around your apartment building for you and your equipment that logged usage on their unsecured connection. The fault is placed onto the person that has the unsecured connection. However if it was fraud, hacking, CP, or other internet crimes, they will and can find you.

Spoofing your MAC address, using PeerBlock, keeping your cache/cookies clear constantly, & using paid/free proxys are simple precautions you can take to lower your risk of getting caught for anything on the internet.

I highly suggest the use of PeerBlock of anyone downloading content from anywhere on the internet, illegal or not.