How to Borrow Someone's Internet

You can borrow somebody's Internet and surf the Web in a few easy steps

As long as you have a wireless network connection setup on your computer, you can connect through the internet through a wireless access point. A wireless access point (i.e. Wi-Fi Hotspot, neighbor's Internet connection) is any area where you can connect to the Internet. When you borrow somebody's Internet, you will access the Internet through their connection. This means all information (passwords, usernames, sites visited) are on a shared network and can be viewed by anybody who has access to the network. As long as you find an unsecured connection, you can easily borrow the Internet.

Things You'll Need

• Operating system that supports wireless connection

Instructions

1. Open the "Start Menu" and click on the "Control Panel."

2. Click on "Network and Internet Connections."

3. Click on "Network Connections."

4. Click on "Wireless Network Connection." This window will display the status of your network connection. The "Status" will say "Connected" if you're connected to the Internet and it will say "Disconnected" if you aren't connected.

5. Click on the "View Wireless Networks" button. This list will show you all the wireless networks that you can possibly borrow. If there is a lock symbol next to the name of the connection, then that network is secured and cannot be borrowed. Scroll through the list and find an unsecured network. The unsecured networks won't have the lock symbol next to their names.

6. Double click on the network connection you would like to borrow and wait for the connection to complete. Once connected, you can use the Internet just as if it were yours.

Tips & Warnings

• When borrowing somebody's Internet connection, you may not enjoy the same connection speed as the original user. The distance between you and the access point and the number of people connected to the network will affect the connection speed.

• Information that you share on an unsecured network can be accessed by anybody who can connect to the network.

• Federal law prohibits unauthorized access to a "protected computer." Protected computers are those used by the U.S. government, by a financial institution, or used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. The law that deals with this issue is Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1030.

• You could be arrested, for example, for parking your car outside of a coffee shop and accessing its wireless network. The U.S. hasn't passed any legislation that penalizes those who access "unprotected computers" through an unsecured network.

• Stealing private information (emails, passwords, usernames) from an unsecured network is illegal and you could face legal punishment for doing so.

References

• Internet Service: 10 WAYS PEOPLE BORROW INTERNET SERVICE
• e-Geniuses: Unsecured Wireless Network Risks