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Users will steal Wi-Fi to bypass file sharing crackdown

Proposed UK piracy legislation suggests tough penalties for ISPs as well as users that download pirated media.

By Asavin Wattanajantra, 12 Feb 2008 at 15:54

Those who persistently download copyrighted material illegally online are expected to resort to measures including stealing Wi-Fi connectivity, if as expected, new legislation clamps down on illegal file sharing.

Under massive pressure from movie studios, broadcasters and music labels, the government is expected to outline plans next week for legislation that will impose tough requirements on ISPs to stop illegal file sharing at the source.

Under the planned proposals, those suspected of downloading pirated material will receive a warning email from their ISP in the first instance, a suspension of service if illegal file sharing persists, and if that doesn't work, ISPs will be obliged to terminate a user's connection and service contract. The key difference with this legislation is that it places responsibility for enforcement on the bandwidth provider, rather than requiring the copyright holder to take direct action against the user.

ISPs that fail to enforce the rules would face potential prosecution, with the details of offending customers made available to the courts. The proposals mirror legislation in France, which already takes a hard line on illegal file sharing.

The concern among security specialists is that tough legislation will drive illegal file sharing underground, and cause users to unlawfully access wireless networks, so-called 'Piggy-backing', to download content anonymously, leaving businesses, as well as consumers open to bandwidth abuse and theft.

"Many businesses, particularly the smaller ones, may have set up a network for visitors and guests such as in coffee houses and stores, but also regular premises will have that system in place simply for convenience," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security software vendor Sophos.

"Of course it's the business which begins to get the problems from the ISP rather than the person in the lobby," he added.

Sophos pointed to a survey of 560 computer users it conducted just before Christmas. The research revealed that 54 per cent had stolen Wi-Fi connectivity.

"Pressure is being put on ISPs to take action, but an open Wi-Fi hotspot may mean it is you who ends up disconnected from the net while your next door neighbour is happily watching the Hollywood blockbuster they stole via your internet connection," said Cluley.