More than half of the UK's PC users have used someone else's Wi-Fi connection without their permission, new research has revealed.

According to a poll conducted by computer security firm Sophos for the Times, 54 per cent of Britons have effectively broken the law by making use of someone else's wireless broadband connection without informing them.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, warned that web users who dabble in this practice could be making the connection worse for the rightful owner.

"If you've hopped onto your next door neighbours' wireless broadband connection to illegally download movies and music from the net, chances are that you are also slowing down their internet access and impacting on their download limit," he commented.

Earlier this year, a man in London was arrested on suspicion of using someone else's wireless connection without their permission after being spotted using a laptop outside his house.

Categories: Wireless Broadband

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