Proposed Law Would Make Surfing Your Neighbors Wireless Connection a Crime

Maryland is looking to pass a law that would make surfing the Internet on someone else's wireless connection, without permission, a crime under a bill sponsored by LeRoy E. Myers Jr.

He told the House Judiciary Committee that one of his neighbors, after buying a new laptop computer, got onto the Internet, thinking it was going through his own cable connection when in reality he was logged in to Myers' home Internet hookup.

The bill proposes that intentional unauthorized access to another person's computer, network, database or software is a misdemeanor and punishable up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.

A more appropriate law, in my opinion, would make users who unsecure their wireless connection guilty of a crime. It should be considered an act of negligence. The device being setup is doing exactly what it is being told. If you're broadcasting your availability to others you are basically putting a "welcome" sign on your door.

I think this is a case of legislators not really understanding the technology they are trying to legislate.

BillP

_____________________

If you enjoyed this posting please subscribe to our RSS feed or submit it to your favorite social networks.