Does anyone know of anywhere in sheffield, preferably hillsborough/crookes/walkley/broomhill where I can get wireless connection to a network. I understand it can be done at Wig and Pen in town if I take my laptop along I can connect, but does anyone know of anywhere a bit closer?

I told there is several unsecured connections in the Crookes area which you could use ! However if you want to do it legally check out:

http://btopenzone.hotspot-directory.com/

Ok, did that and found one in my local pub. But how can I use it, do I need to register somewhere and get a password, not really sure how it works?

If its your local pub's connection then i suggest asking them for a Key to access the network.

If its un-secure then your laptop should automatically recognise an unsecure network and you should be able to click 'connect'.

And is it illegal to connect to an unsecure network. Does it just mean that somebody on my street has wireless connection that is unsecure?

And is it illegal to connect to an unsecure network. Does it just mean that somebody on my street has wireless connection that is unsecure?

Yes it is illegal. To access BT Openzone you need to get either buy time vouchers (1 hour, 1 day, 30 days) or you can buy minutes at 20p each. Once you've paid for these you'll be provided with a username and password to access the internet in a BT Openzone hotspot.

So why are there open networks then if its illegal to connect to them and can somebody actually trace if I use it. Is it like I said before, a network connection in the house next door to mine???

The open networks are there because people don't know how to secure them, or just plain can't be arsed to.

It's fairly easy to triangulate your position if they have the equipment to.. but whatr's easiest to use to trace you is your online activity. Anything you do through their network can be captured and analysed. That data can then be used to find out who you are.

If it is illegal, it shouldn't be.

They are unsecured open networks so connect away! :)

If they are stupid enough to leave it open (and it may be intentional with some pubs / hotels etc.) then they won't have any idea how to trace you. And if they did...? :)

If they are stupid enough to leave it open (and it may be intentional with some pubs / hotels etc.) then they won't have any idea how to trace you.

Not true. Yes it's unlikely if you only connect once.. but do it more often and it doesn't take much for someone with knowledge to catch on, or for them to ask someone with knowledge to check it out.

And if they did...? :)

The Computer Misuse Act of 1990.

So should I not bother using the one I have found next week while its half term. Dont have internet at home and need to do some work. If i connect for one week and then dont after that, could I get in trouble for it?

If it is illegal, it shouldn't be.

They are unsecured open networks so connect away! :)

If they are stupid enough to leave it open (and it may be intentional with some pubs / hotels etc.) then they won't have any idea how to trace you. And if they did...? :)That's not the point... it is illegal; you wouldn't walk into someone's house because the door was open and take things (or would you?!) and it's the same thing in principle. There is the other side of it too, they could access your computer, they might not be as stupid as you think.

If the pub or hotel gives you permission & provides you with a wep key/password it is not illegal - if they dont choose to charge you for the service then good for them. I think you'll find that this kind of free wireless access will become increasingly common.

Not all open networks are illegal to connect to. However you don't know which you can and cannot use.

A lot of pubs are part of 'the cloud' network. When you try and access the internet they direct you to a web page where you sign up, pay and get access. Most Starbucks seem to have 'hotspots' too - t-mobile. If you have BT Broadband I think your subscritpion can be adjusted to include some minutes for roaming on 'the cloud' and t-mobile.

-Oracle

just a small question... where can i find my password/passcode for my wireless router cuz i dont seem to remember putting a password on when i installed it. :huh:

just a small question... where can i find my password/passcode for my wireless router cuz i dont seem to remember putting a password on when i installed it. :huh:

The routers I'm familiar with come with an empty password - don't type anything into the password field and you should be ok.