Florida man charged with stealing Wi-Fi
{{New2|This article mentions that Wi-Fi stands for "Wireless Fidelity", although this is [[w:Wi-Fi#Naming|disputed]].}}
{{date|July 7, 2005}}

A Florida man is being charged with 3rd degree felony for logging into a private [[w:Wi-Fi|Wi-Fi]] (Wireless Fidelity) Internet access point without permission. Benjamin Smith III, 41, is set for a pre-trial hearing this month in the first case of its kind in the United States.

This kind of activity occurs frequently, but often goes undetected by the owners of these wireless access points (WAPs). Unauthorized users range from casual Web browsers, to users sending e-mails, to users involved in [[w:pornography|pornography]] or even illegal endeavours.

According to Richard Dinon, owner of the WAP Smith allegedly broke into, Smith was using a laptop in an automobile while parked outside Dinon's residence.

There are many steps an owner of one of these access points can take to secure them from outside users. Dinon reportedly knew how to take these steps, but had not bothered because his "neighbors are older."

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/07/wi.fi.theft.ap/index.html
 |title=Man charged with stealing Wi-Fi signal (article removed)
 |author=
 |pub=CNN
 |date=July 7, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/04/Southpinellas/Wi_Fi_cloaks_a_new_br.shtml
 |title=Wi-Fi cloaks a new breed of intruder
 |author=Alex Leary
 |pub=St Petersburg Times
 |date=July 4, 2005}}

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[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Florida]]
[[Category:Internet]]
A Florida man is being charged with 3rd degree felony for logging into a private Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Internet access point without permission. Benjamin Smith III, 41, is set for a pre-trial hearing this month in the first case of its kind in the United States.

This kind of activity occurs frequently, but often goes undetected by the owners of these wireless access points (WAPs). Unauthorized users range from casual Web browsers, to users sending e-mails, to users involved in pornography or even illegal endeavours.

According to Richard Dinon, owner of the WAP Smith allegedly broke into, Smith was using a laptop in an automobile while parked outside Dinon's residence.

There are many steps an owner of one of these access points can take to secure them from outside users. Dinon reportedly knew how to take these steps, but had not bothered because his "neighbors are older."
Science and technology North America United States Florida Internet