said by FFH5:Yes, I'll tell my lawyer that(the EFF said I should be OK) after the police knock down my door looking for child porn or a copyright violator because someone used my open network{/sarcasm}.
People sharing their network(cable TOS be damned), are just asking for unneeded grief for what benefit? That they helped the common good?
Exactly what happened to the young kid in the apartment behind my apartment.
The swat team came in with full force - 20 guys wearing full body armor, automatic assault rifles and battering rams etc.
They accused him of credit card fraud and identity theft.
I know this kid well. He knows enough to turn a computer on and that is about it.
The SWAT team left and some detectives and evidence technician's stayed behind and executed a search warrant for every digital device in his apartment that could connect over ethernet or be plugged into a computer.
They spent hours in his apartment inventorying everything and then hauled it all away.
They let the kid go a few hours later after they determined the real perps had done the bad deeds via his open WiFi router.
No evidence was found on the kids computer or Wii or Xbox or thumb or other external storage drives or devices etc.
It's been well over a year now and the poor kid still does not have his computer back. Nothing. The only thing he knows for certain is that he is not a suspect but they will not tell him if he will get his property back. I suspect he will never see it again.
For this very reason, I never have nor will I ever have an open Wifi access. Heck, I disable my wireless routers radios when I'm not using them as it is. I have all my stuff hardwired as that is the only way I feel close to safe from those with bad thoughts.
Especially in an apartment complex where many could be trying to hack into the tons of wireless signals available. It's just not worth the risk or embarrassment of having the swat team come in one day in broad daylight prepared to bust your door down and then take all your computer equipment that you may never see again.
I've seen it happen with my own eyes. For those that run open access, be warned, it does happen and you are going to take the fall for doing it if someone uses your connection and uses it for illegal activities.
The kid behind me did get legal help but they could not even get his electronic equipment back for him.
He was so upset that he required psychological help after he started drinking as a result of the swat team coming into his apartment. He shook like a leaf on a tree for months expecting them to come back and take him away for something he did not do.
The kid only has a sister. His parents were killed in an automobile accident a few years earlier. He did not know what to do or where to turn for help or advice. He was scared shitless for something he did not do. No close local family other than a younger sister and some distant relatives like cousin's. Very few friends when this happened but he has some now. He'd moved here after his parents were killed as he did have some distant relatives here plus his employer offered to help him out when he relocated.
His employer still helped him out after the SWAT team ordeal. They paid for the legal advice and then bought him new computer equipment. He needed it for his employment after it was determined that the local or federal authorities could or would not say if he would ever get his property back.
His employer is a giant worldwide company that I cannot name. I will give them credit for supporting the kid though and also helping him out in a time of need.
I taught him about computer security and also helped him hardwire everything after he decided he would stay living here.
He said he felt like an outlaw and did not even know if he could continue living here over the embarrassment alone that was caused him. He almost lost his job but an very understanding boss offered full support after he learned of what had happened.
I was the one that suggested he contact his boss and explain all that took place. The kid was too embarrassed to do that at first but finally did when his boss started asking him about missed days and lack of attention which was not normal for him.
He has now mostly recovered from it all but never saw any of his confiscated property again. He does not own a wireless router or access point. He would not even get a cell phone but his employer insisted so he has the closest thing he could find to a phone only phone without any other features.