Re: Legality of WEP Cracking


On May 18, 2007, at 7:47 PM, Morning Wood wrote:

The UK law is clear, I quote from the UK Computer Misuse Act 1990
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1990/Ukpga_19900018_en_2.htm):


from what I understand here in the US...

"sniffing the air" is legal
"connecting to an AP you do not have explicit permission" is illegal
"possession of an access restriction device" eg: WEP key
that you are not explicitly allowed permission is illegal

capturing airborne packets "may" be legal, but the moment you begin to
"try" to "crack" a WEP key, you would be entering access restriction device
realm instantly. ( do not pass GO! ) , as well, simply connecting to your
target AP is illegal from the get-go ( gimme your dice! )

but my understanding is only a perspective, which may or not be completely
askew...


How about this scenario.

I am sitting in a Starbuck$ and am connected to the T-Mobile Wireless service.
I start Wireshark and capture all the packets I am seeing from the WAP.
Is this legal or illegal?



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