UK people being sued for uploading to torrents

Watching WatchDog here in the UK last night and people were complaining because they were getting legal demands for hundreds of pounds because their IP address was found uploading files to Torrents - these people didn't do it, someone was using their IP address.

This was for uploading games so probably not so important for here, but I guess a definite reminder to use a proxy.

alexabones said:

Watching WatchDog here in the UK last night and people were complaining because they were getting legal demands for hundreds of pounds because their IP address was found uploading files to Torrents - these people didn't do it, someone was using their IP address.

This was for uploading games so probably not so important for here, but I guess a definite reminder to use a proxy.

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Lol that's bullshit. No one can use your IP address unless they have remote or physical access to your PC. lol

ShadeDream7 said:

Lol that's bullshit. No one can use your IP address unless they have remote or physical access to your PC. lol

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They can use your wireless network if you haven't taken the time to secure it... or you could have some crapware on your pc.

zx_81 said:

They can use your wireless network if you haven't taken the time to secure it... or you could have some crapware on your pc.

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Yes this was the very thing they showed on the show. People could just drive round with their wireless laptop and find unprotected ip addresses. He found 2 and went online using one. Anything which he then did would be put down to coming from that ip address.

I saw that piece on Watchdog. I think the IT expert who was war driving in the seat with his laptop was biting his tongue about all the BT Homehub networks, lol. They only use WEP and don't have a WPA option so they can all be cracked in about 90 seconds anyway if someone really wants to.

zx_81 said:

They can use your wireless network if you haven't taken the time to secure it... or you could have some crapware on your pc.

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LOL That's why I said remote or physical access. I said it about the PC but I ment overall to your whole network. And in the wireless case it's remote access because people are stupid and don't protect their wireless connection. That's their fault. XD

two years ago there was a news item where a reporter showed how easy it was to
piggyback on someone's wireless router. just get a laptop and drive around the
city with a router.

I'm one of the ones who is a victim of being falsly accused of this.

Shat myself at first, but after looking into the details i didn't even draft a response - letters weren't recorded, data seemed very vague etc.

Also, having my background i also serve as an expert witness in regards to IT security, so i'll think it's fun if i actually get the chance to prove my innocence to a judge!

I'll gladly demonstrate the ability to crack a network (WEP) key in a minute or to find the tools needed to do anything like that.

I'll also like to mention the fact they quote german law as european precedent, which is a complete lie. Hope the judge likes them doing that!

I highly doubt anything will come of it, i got the letter back in march, filed it away with all the other stupid letters i get, then carried on with my life. Now, if i get a court order, well ... i'm all ears and i look forward to it!

It is quite scary how little evidence you need and how badly drafted the law is on this area though.

Aye, it is! However they claim you're responsible for the use and misuse of your internet connection; which isn't anywhere in the UK law.

I'll happily show i took every step a reasonable person could, should and would do to secure the wireless network, and show how feable it really is. Maybe then they'll see how stupid it is.

I'll probably throw some MAC spoofing in, some IP faking etc. to show every single core element of there data is flawed.

Anyone can do it, so why not internet pirates?

I hope the people who get taken to court do get some good representation though!

Well in the program they did point out that in order to really show that someone had done this, it would be necessary to inspect their computer.

I think they thought they had found an easy and cheap way of stopping this.

Watchdog also mentioned that one firm which had been suing people had stopped when it discovered this was really no proof, so unless companies are going to go blustering in, seizing computers, I imagine this will calm down for the time being at any state.

If zx-81 is right all people with BT Homehub networks would be at risk of being wrongly accused never mind people who for whatever reason do not know they need to secure their computer

perhaps someone should write a mini ebook that explains how to protect your router from
hackers. play up the hidden dangers of having strangers piggybacking on your signal,
throw in some buzzwords, add a little fear mongering, promise easy relief, and charge $7.

could be a quick cash maker.