WiFi Routers Get Warning Sticker in California

Wireless routers sold in California will come with a warning, instructing their new owners to secure their WAPs. Dark Reading says:The law will require all manufacturers of wireless access products to put warning labels on their products that remind users to password-protect their WLANs before launching them. The warnings could take place as stickers on wireless routers, notes during installation, or an alert that requires buyers to take action before the device is used.At first glance, it seems really stupid and unnecessary to require manufacturers to explicitly inform consumers about the importance of securing their WAPs, but part of the law signed yesterday will make it a criminal offense to crack a secured hotspot and use it to access the Intertubes.

So what about piggybacking onto an unsecured hotspot? Is that illegal now? 27B Stroke 6:I think no.

There will still be plenty of free Wi-Fi to be found, but it might not be long before some legislator gets it in his head to pass a law banning the use of an open wireless network unless you have some sort of permission.

Maybe it will happen after some guy gets busted downloading mp3s or child pr0n from a neighbor's open connection.

But it's still legally unclear whether borrowing some unsecured bandwidth is stealing (technically trespass to chattels) or fine and dandy.This will be an interesting law to watch, as a test case to define its limits will probably come up sooner than later.

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