Say I used an open wifi connection to download movies (practically stealing bandwidth), could it somehow be traced back to me (my laptop)? I always change my computer name and mac address before connecting. If it's possible, please explain how.

This is an illegal activity in many States. I question the "wisdom" of assisting you in breaking the Law.

Wi-Fi Sharing - Is It Legal to Use Open Access Wireless Internet Connections? (http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessfaqs/f/legal_free_wifi.htm)

Yes, they could log your MAC address which is unique to your NIC.

This is an illegal activity in many States.Remember, he's Canadian. :)

Um MAC addresses are hard coded. While it is possible to spoof them, you can't change them. But basically you are admitting to unethical if not illegal activities. This site will neither condone nor support such activities.

Remember, he's Canadian. :)


This time you got there in 3 posts. Last thread it took ME 11! Good work (and good catch).

To be honest I can't quote any laws concerning this activity because I'm not sure where to look. One could make a distinction between a known open wifi by design (Starbucks, hotel, etc.. ) and sitting outside someone's house. It's still a gray area in Canada. ISPs here are still immune to being forced to cough off session details to every asker (esp. the *aa groups).

I did find this, it's a good read with references: Is making use of unprotected Wi-Fi stealing? All that is wrong with the world… (http://allthatiswrong.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/is-making-use-of-unprotected-wi-fi-stealing/)

ISPs here are still immune to being forced to cough off session details to every asker (esp. the *aa groups).

What do you mean by forced to cough off session details to every asker? *aa groups?

To be honest I can't quote any laws concerning this activity because I'm not sure where to look. One could make a distinction between a known open wifi by design (Starbucks, hotel, etc..) and sitting outside someone's house. It's still a gray area in Canada. ISPs here are still immune to being forced to cough off session details to every asker (esp. the *aa groups).

I did find this, it's a good read with references: Is making use of unprotected Wi-Fi stealing? All that is wrong with the world… (http://allthatiswrong.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/is-making-use-of-unprotected-wi-fi-stealing/)


I think the bigger problems is DOWNLOADING. I don't have time to research today but will check tomorrow.

Of course, the info is available to subpoena and every now and then someone gets ticked off enough to issue subpoenas but it doesn't happen often and takes money to start a lawsuit.

I think Scott's got the best answer - this is an admittedly illegal activity.

I would suggest that OP take some of the $4,000 he didn't claim on his tax returns and buy the movies instead of illegally downloading them.

According to the article, it's not illegal. And I'd rather spent my money wisely.

According to the article, it's not illegal. And I'd rather spent my money wisely.

If you are referring to the article that NK linked to you obviously didn't read carefully:

In Australia, Canada, the UK and likely most countries it is illegal to access an unsecured Wi-Fi network without explicit permission from the owner.

The thrust of that articles was people shouldn't be penalized if the network owner didn't secure the network.

But it is not illegal in the States. I am in the States right now and I want to know how to avoid any tracebacks to my laptop.

But it is not illegal in the States. I am in the States right now and I want to know how to avoid any tracebacks to my laptop.

Yesterday you were in Canada.


Sorry, I forgot to mention I live in Ontario, Canada.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/other-law/want-depoist-4k-cash-into-bank-account-will-treated-like-suspect-578532.html

So which is it? Are you in Canada, or the States?

But it is not illegal in the States. I am in the States right now and I want to know how to avoid any tracebacks to my laptop.

Who says its not? It is a violation of US FEDERAL law to access a private computer network without permission.

But it is not illegal in the States. I am in the States right now and I want to know how to avoid any tracebacks to my laptop.


So you work and don't pay taxes in Canada but currently are in the US?

No one is going to assist you in committing an illegal act.

Who says its not? It is a violation of US FEDERAL law to access a private computer network without permission.But there are plenty of open wifi areas where they want you to use it: Starbucks, airports, my city has free municipal wifi, all those are not illegal. People are jumping the gun here.

But there are plenty of open wifi areas where they want you to use it: Starbucks, airports, my city has free municipal wifi, all those are not illegal. People are jumping the gun here.

This is true, but its not what the OP is talking about.

This is true, but its not what the OP is talking about.When, in this thread, did he specify where he was connecting?

I'm addressing the question about illegally downloading movies. Otherwise I don't think anyone much cares where he's "connecting."

Ah, I see. Whilst it's illegal it's a long shot that you'd get caught using an open wifi connection. To paraphrase Mythbusters: Plausible but impractical.

I'm addressing the question about illegally downloading movies. Otherwise I don't think anyone much cares where he's "connecting.
Who said I'm illegally downloading movies? I have a subscription in which I can legally download movies.

Ah, I see. Whilst it's illegal it's a long shot that you'd get caught using an open wifi connection. To paraphrase Mythbusters: Plausible but impractical.
Your right. It's a long shot, as even if they do trace back to the laptop, they cannot prove who was using that laptop at that time.

Who said I'm illegally downloading movies? I have a subscription in which I can legally download movies.


I thought "practically stealing" meant just that - almost stealing. There's a thin line.

First yes he is still in Canada, Toronto. Besides that if you have have a right to download, either paid for it, or it is a free down load of movies,

The only issue is the use of someone else's internet, if they know you are using it, then you have their permission, if it is a WI FI hot spot, then you are free to use it.

The issue is if you are hooking up on a neighbors or driving down the street and stop in front of someone's home and use theirs. That is illegal, but on top of that, you also open yourself up to allow other uses of that same IP to get access into your system more easily.

As for as tracking, that is a easy thing if the site you are using has any type of trojan or key stroke program that is sent with the down load. Remember to be found, someone has to be looking,
If a professional wanted to find you, that would be easy.

And download is just like porn, they don't have to prove you were on it, just that the computer belongs to you.
Your defense would be to prove who else had it at that exact time.

Wait - a minute ago you were in the US. Now you're back in Canada?

Maybe I should try Yahoo Answers.

Go ahead. Lord knows you're not giving us enough info to help you here. Also, you seem to want people to condone illegal behavior. We don't do that here. I'm not sure if Yahoo Answers does, but maybe you'll get lucky, and you'll be told what you want to hear. Not the truth, but hey, that's obviously not what you're after.

Good luck.

I can understand his frustration to an extent - he was asking about the technology when he mostly got moral answers from people who don't know the technology.

I can understand his frustration to an extent - he was asking about the technology when he mostly got moral answers from people who don't know the technology.

True, but most of us looked at his other threads, his other posts. He's not averse to illegal activity, and the fact that he's asking if it's possible to trace him, that waves a red flag.

We do judge on the OP's other posts, and he's shown that he's more then willing to bend, if not break, the law.

I guess I viewed it the same as the way the legal boards operate - give a non-judgmental answer. It people started giving moral judgements on the legal boards the fur would fly.