Wireless network (need advice)

[Natella]

Last week i opened and switched on my laptop at the kitchen table which situated close to the window. While opening my browser i noticed that it opened on Yahoo home page though usually it opens first page of my wireless internet provider and i have to insert my login and parol first to proceed. Then i checked up with connections and found out that some unprotected (marked as hidden) network automatically connected me to internet.
I would like to ask if it is legal to use this network, and also i would like to know if it is secure. Now i am using internet from my provider, but that network is still accessible from the kitchen,s table.

[Mark]

I dont really understand your question but here goes;

It is illegal to use someone else's network without their permission in most countries. But it isnt illegal to use the public wireless (WiFi) whcih you can get in some areas

A unprotected (or non secure) network is a network without any protection put onto it so it doesnt have a password meaning you can connect to it without having to enter a password. A secure one does have a password

Some laptops tend to connect to the network with the strongest signal. You can set your laptop to only use your network by ticking the box which says 'Always connect to this network' when you connect to your network

Hope that helps

[xje4bv]

Legally, that depends on where you reside. Different countries have different interpretations on the law regarding the use of a WiFi network without the owner's consent.

Or maybe, the owner decided to set up a "free" WiFi hotspot, so that he could sniff incoming packets? You could relate to yesterday's article on the blog about this part. Far fetched though..

Well, to be on the safe side, you should just use your network.

[Natella]

Thanks for the answers, i was not going to use that network really, and i have already adjusted settings of my connection manager and Acer Empowering Technology for just using only my internet provider.
As i checked up with the local low on this field it is basically a fault of the owner of that unprotected network, because he neither protected it no marked it as being a public hot-spot network.

[Raymond]

Even if there's an unencrypted wireless network, it doesn't mean you can use it without the owner's permission.

Same concept as if a door to a home is open, it doesn't mean you can go in to watch tv and eat all their food in their fridge.