9 Comments

Arrested For Using Free WiFi

May 24, 2007 by in Stupid with 9 Comments

In Michigan, Sam Peterson has been arrested and is being prosecuted for using a coffee shops free open Wi-Fi network from his car, without buying anything, under Michigan’s “Fraudulent access to computers, computer systems, and computer networks” law.

The law calls for up to a five-year felony and a $10,000 fine. Since Mr. Peterson says he didn’t realize he did anything illegal and was innocently checking email, prosecutors are letting him off easy with a $400 fine and 40 hours of community service.

How stupid! The the WiFi hotspot in question was open and advertising FREE internet access. How could it be fraudulent access to computers?

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  • websnap

    whenever you see free, look for fine print.

  • Matt W

    I guess I would have racked up a nice rap sheet by now, if I’d been arrested for every open wifi router I’ve accessed the web/email through on the road. For that purpose, I see nothing wrong even if it’s a residential setup. If the owner is clueless or ignorant enough to leave it unsecured, then what’s to stop me? I don’t use an open connection to access kiddie pron or try to hack the owners network, just plain ol’ innocent web access. Netstumbler, an Orinoco card, and a magnetic antenna are my friends.

    In other news, I guess Michigan cops are just as dumb as the rest of them……with much more time on their hands. Geez, it’s not like the dude was peeping in some woman’s window or something.

  • http://www.matkins70.com/blog Mikey

    Sometimes it’s not even your fault. My neighbours foolishly leave their WiFi open (I don’t actually know who’s it is, my iBook just detects it), and if my iBook can’t get a good enough signal for my WiFi, it automatically joins theirs. Quite annoying at times.

  • http://www.zeusbox.org Ncus

    Before using open WiFi, look for “FREE” banner around :) , i am glad there are not much open WiFi around my home…wait there are no WiFi.

  • http://phantomdata.com phantomdata

    Pro-Tip: If it has to do with computers and you didn’t pay five corporations, its illegal.

  • http://mykalcave.com Myke

    Inmate No. 1: So what are you in for?

    Inmate No. 2: Burglary and attempted man slaughter… you?

    Inmate No. 1: Checking my email…

    Inmate No. 2: …?

    Inmate No. 1: It’s a long story.

  • http://www.tian.cc/ tian

    How did this man get himself caught? Are there any WIFI police that constantly scan the network and match up the MAC/IP address with customers?

    http://www.tian.cc/

  • http://mykalcave.com Myke

    Yeah I was wondering the same thing. Maybe the owner of the coffee shop hunted him down. And if so, thats pretty lame. This whole law is pretty lame.

  • Nonofyour

    And people wonder why Michigan is such a crappy state.

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