Is it wrong to ‘steal’ someone’s unsecured wireless connection? I’m pretty sure everyone’s done it in the past.

Picture the scene: You’re sitting in the park on your lunch break, you switch your laptop on to check some dull work spreadsheet and low and behold, up pop’s a connection notice…

Do you A: Ignore the temptation and get back to working on your lunch break? (Sad) or B: Sneakily click on connect and check your Facebook?

Well, if you chose ‘A’ you don’t need to read the rest of this article, if you said ‘B’, according to the Communications Act 2003 – you are a criminal.

The Act states “person who (a) dishonestly obtains an electronic communications service, and (b) does so with intent to avoid payment of a charge applicable to the provision of that service, is guilty of an offence”.

There are also suggestions that using someone else’s wireless connection could come under the Computer Misuse Act, usually used to combat hacking and electronic fraud.

Sure, Heavy downloading may affect the users speed or download limit, but using the connection top check an email is not likely to be noticed. These “victims” aren’t likely to suffer too much.

Philosopher Nick Bostrom, director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, says that with technology moving so fast, socially accepted moral positions can be slow to solidify.

“I haven’t thought about it. I’m not sure anybody has. It might be one of those areas where cultural norms haven’t evolved or stabilised yet. It’s so new it’s not clear whether it’s stealing or not. And sometimes the law trails public norms.

“If you steal a silver Mont Blanc pen it’s theft but if it’s an ordinary ballpoint pen or a pencil it is assumed you can take it.

“In the olden days people had norms about whether you were able to pick apples from someone else’s tree. Perhaps it’s OK if the branches hang over the road, but not from inside their garden. You have generally shared expectations.”

Philosopher Julian Baggini says he can’t see what all the fuss is about.

“I’m pro the stealers on this one. If you are doing it systematically to avoid chipping in your bit you are a freeloader and that’s immoral.

“But casual and occasional use while travelling is a bit like reading your book from the light coming out from someone’s window. It’s like eating someone’s leftovers.”

And he’s happy to practice what he preaches.

“I’ve done it and I don’t put a password on my own connection. For all I know that’s what someone’s doing now.

“But the fact that something is morally acceptable doesn’t change the fact of its illegality. The rule of law is an important factor.”

An internet service provider (ISP) might argue it is the victim of wireless theft. If people could use other people’s wireless, why buy their own?

The idea of “piggybacking” off somebody else’s system harks back to the dawn of the internet and the phone phreaking - gaining free calls by cracking the systems - that inspired many technology pioneers.

Barry Fox, contributing editor for Europe Consumer Electronics Daily, says unsecured networks are getting fewer and fewer, but the real moral issue is why computer firms don’t take more responsibility for their customers’ security.

“When I’m in London I’m in a block of flats, I scan and find unsecured networks. When I first started there were any number of free and unsecured networks, now it’s mainly secured networks because many of the ISPs have made it much easier.

“There is a view that if people are daft enough to throw their signal out for anyone to pick up they deserve what they get.

“On the other hand, the computer manufacturers have never done anything to make things easier for the consumer, unless forced to.”

In my opinion, I think that it’s up to the owner of the network to ensure it’s secure. If they need to leave it fairly open for their workers you can’t go too wrong with a username and password.

What do you think? Is it stealing or is it like watching fireworks display – something you enjoy that you probably didn’t pay a penny for?