Unsecured domestic networks used for illegal surfing
In what is believed to be the first conviction of this kind a man has been found guilty of the offence of illegally using someone's wireless network.
Gregory
Straszkiewicz, aged 24 of Ealing was convicted on last week at Isleworth
Crown Court of two offences against the Communications Act, namely dishonestly
obtaining an electronic communication service with an attempt to avoid
payment and possessing anything to obtain such service.
He received a £500 fine, forfeiture of his computer and wireless
card and given a 12-month conditional discharge.
A member of the public contacted police in August 2004 after becoming
concerned about a man acting suspiciously in the street who appeared
to be on his laptop computer.
Police attended and arrested Straszkiewicz under the Computer Misuse
Act and confiscated his laptop. Forensic examination showed that the
computer had been used to access the Internet via a wireless card. This had enabled Straszkiewicz to intercept the WiFi connection used
by a local resident and access their Internet subscription without their
knowledge and using the Internet without paying for it.
Further investigation showed that Straszkiewicz had been in the area
periodically for two to three months.
DC Stephen Rothwell at Ealing CID said, "This case is the first of its type in the United Kingdom and it sets
an example to people who use increased computer technology to try and
avoid paying for the Internet. People using a similar method will be
treated in the same way."
A survey conducted in March of this year, found that more than a third of wireless networks in London had the basic security features turned off. According to the law as it stands the owner of the network is responsible for any material downloaded through it.
July 28, 2005