Most consumers in the UK with a wireless broadband connection enjoy the freedom and flexibility of this type of connection without ever thinking about the dangers of this type of connection. However, two recent, similar, yet apparently unrelated incidents in the UK have highlighted the dangers of having a wireless broadband connection that is not protected – the risk of Broadband theft has become a very real threat that could get the authorized user of the connection into trouble through no fault of their own.
The two incidents occurred recently, when two people were found to be amongst the first in the UK to be arrested for the crime of broadband theft – that is, for tapping into someone else's wireless connection in order to gain access to the Internet without the permission of the authorized user of the broadband connection. Both of the people that were arrested came from Worcester, and received cautions for dishonestly using the wireless broadband connections without any intention to pay.
Authorities are now trying to raise awareness amongst UK consumers that are using wireless broadband connections, and with this type of connection becoming more and more popular it is important that consumers protect themselves against the risk of broadband theft. These wireless connections can be accessed from outside the home of the user, which was what happened in the two recent incidents, where the two people involved used their computers in their cars outside the homes of those with wireless broadband connections.
However, there is a facility to configure the connection so that it cannot be accessed by anyone that is not authorized to do so. This is something that the police strongly recommend as consumers could otherwise find themselves caught up in criminal activity as a result of unauthorized use by someone that is using the connection to engage in this sort of activity.
With regards to this unauthorized use, one police officer stated: "We want people to be aware that it is possible and to be vigilant themselves regarding their own broadband connections. This might slow down your Internet service, or more importantly, your Internet connection could be used for unlawful purposes."
He also added: "We do not want to alarm wireless broadband users - we want them to follow the advice on wireless broadband security issued to them by their broadband providers."
Yvan Bamping of broadband comparison site http://www.broadband-
