News, German man fined for poor Wi-Fi security. (wireless, work, router)

[JD59]

Not using a network password costs $164.

The German courts have ruled that internet users are responsible for the security of their connections.

In an unusual case - a musician took a home owner to court because his Wi-Fi signal was used to illegally download music.

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/174895...-security.aspx

[Asheville Native]

That is cheap when you consider the possible penalties he could face. Someone using your open WiFi and uploading/downloading kiddie porn, or similar leaves the leaseholder of the public IP address with no way to prove it was not them, at least now without spending lots of money on lawyers.

[skel1977]

Was going to say the same thing as asheville. Neighbor above me has no security. Every time my friends come over they start using his wireless instead of plugging into the router *shrug*

[TropicalAussie]

Fair enough, I say. The stoopid shall be punished.

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by skel1977

Was going to say the same thing as asheville. Neighbor above me has no security. Every time my friends come over they start using his wireless instead of plugging into the router *shrug*

One can think of it like a seatbelt law. Don't wear it and there are 3 likely outcomes:

1. you get away with it
2. you get ticketed and pay a fine
3. you die in a wreck

To paraphrase Dirty Harry - "do you feel lucky today - punk"