London man in wireless broadband access arrest
By Rene Millman,
Police in London have arrested a man in Chiswick for illegally using someone else's wireless broadband connection.
According to the Metropolitan Police, two police community support officers (PCSOs) on patrol on 21 August, became suspicious of a 39-year-old man sitting on a wall outside a house in the area. When questioned by the PCSOs, the man admitted he was using someone else's wireless connection that was open and unsecured.
As the PCSOs do not have the powers of arrest, the man was taken to Chiswick police station where police officers arrested him. The case was handed over to the Met Police's Computer Crime Unit (CCU). The man has been bailed to return on 11 October pending further investigation.
Detective Constable Mark Roberts of the CCU said that the arrest should act as a deterrent to anyone "who thinks it is acceptable to illegally use other people's broadband connections."
"To do so potentially breaches the Computer Misuse Act and the Communications Act, so computer users need to be aware that this is unlawful and police will investigate any violation we become aware of," said Roberts.
As reported by IT PRO, two people were arrested for similar offences in Redditch, Worcestershire in July.
advertisement
Latest Security Features
The continued curse of cybersquatting
For some, it’s a problem confined to the early days of the Internet. But current figures suggest that the cybersquatting problem is, if anything, growing.
- Where next for Microsoft, Yahoo and Google?
- Top 10 mobile features of 2009
- Top 10 security predictions for 2009
- Top 10 reviews of 2008
- The year in IT news
- Top 10 security stories of 2008
- Top 10 business phones of 2008
- 15 tech charities that need your help
- PCI's Bob Russo: Data loss hurts brand more than a fine
Latest Security Reviews
Fujitsu Siemens FibreCAT SX80 iSCSI
Rating: ![]()
advertisement
Latest News Videos in Security
Video: Mobile security threats and Mac complacency
Part two: Eugene Kaspersky, chief executive and founder of Kaspersky Lab, talks about the increasing security threats mobile users are facing.
White papers
Want more background on today's hottest IT trends?
Visit IT PRO's white paper library for more on virtualisation, encryption and other topics.
Register for IT PRO
You'll get exclusive member benefits including free white papers, downloads, Webinars and weekly newsletters full of the latest IT PRO news, reviews, insight and expertise.



Social Bookmark this article: What is this?