Comments on: ‘Leeching’ Unsecured Saudi WiFi Networks

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:45:32 +0000

The laws only prohibit unauthorized access. If you own a WiFi setup, you can give permission to anyone you like.

By: Boyd R. Jones

Boyd R. Jones — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:41:24 +0000

Anti-leeching may be a law, but it is a silly law. One should have the right to share access.

By: M

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:03:10 +0000

Boyd R. Jones:
The term ‘leeching’ presumes that the owner of the wi-fi network has not given permission for use of his bandwidth, hence the need for a law.

By: John Burgess

John Burgess — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:53:36 +0000

In the US, leeching WiFi access is a crime, punishable by fine, jail, or both. It is defined as unauthorized access to a network (which it clearly is) and is considered a threat to the network. Savvy leechers can compromise a network and use it to both commit and cover other crimes. A quick Google shows it’s a crime not only in the US, but also the UK and Spain… I suspect there’s a similar EU law. Obviously, in this instance, there’s a Saudi law.

By: Boyd R. Jones

Boyd R. Jones — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:28:21 +0000

Why is “leeching” Wi Fi considered bad? As KSA struggles to enter a new economic paradigm, aren’t all methods for people to get online and do more online good? I think we should all have the right to have our Wi Fi hotspots open for communal use…

By: M

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:46:47 +0000

The device is a simple antenna with an extended range. You can even make your own if you’re technically savvy.