Have you ever found yourself at a friend’s house, family member’s house, or at the local coffee shop, and thought, “I’m bored, I’m going to check my email/social media/news” So, I’ll just use their wi-fi, no one will notice, right? Wrong! It may seem harmless to use someone else’s Wi-Fi without permission, but in reality, it can have severe consequences, especially in the city of Atlanta, Georgia.
As one of the largest cities in the United States, Atlanta has numerous laws and regulations in place to protect its residents and businesses from cyber threats. Ignorance of these laws is not an excuse, and the consequences of using someone else’s Wi-Fi without permission can be dire. In this article, we will delve into the legal implications of borrowing wi-fi without consent in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Law on Unauthorised Wi-Fi Use in Atlanta
According to the Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. {10-1-383-1}), using someone else’s wireless network without permission is considered a criminal offense. This law applies to both using someone’s Wi-Fi for personal use and for commercial purposes. Even if you’re using the internet solely for browsing, you’re still technically infringing on the owner’s rights (https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2015/title-10/10-1-383/).
The Atlanta ordinance also states that anyone caught using someone else’s Wi-Fi without permission can be charged with misdemeanors. Offenders may face fines up to $1,000 or up to 12 months in jail depending on the severity of the offense. Furthermore, the suspect may also be liable for damages to the Wi-Fi owner and any additional losses sustained due to the crime (https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/modelcodes/municipal-code/article-ii-general-offenses).
What Counts as Unauthorized Wi-Fi Use
Anyone using a wi-fi network that doesn’t belong to them can be charged with unauthorized use. Using someone’s Wi-Fi to:
- Login to social media
- Check email
- Stream content
- Perform banking online
- Download files and games
are considered unauthorized. This includes using an access point that you have permission to use, but then exceeding the limits of that permission.
On the other hand, using public Wi-Fi at the coffee shop for work or for a quick social media scroll isn’t technically unauthorized
Consequences of Using Someone Else’s Wi-Fi Without Permission
The user that borrowed the wi-fi can suffer from serious consequences, such as:
- Loss of trust in personal relationships
- Deletion of accounts
- Damage to personal data and devices
- Viral coldariry and malicious software
Prevention is Better than Cure: How to Avoid Unauthorized Wi-Fi Use
You can avoid getting caught and potentially facing underage ciicirinal charges by following these steps:
- Ask owner before using their network propel
- Know Wi-Fi encryption (Wi-Fi security) and methods to determine network authenticity.
- Change you Password and practice safe browsing greet receiver
Note: For complete list of possibilities please refer to 51 Precautions for secure devices
