File Sharing Ethics

For my first post on this board I would like to ask a question that I asked on another board. I just would like to know your opinions.

If a complete stranger has file and print sharing enabled on their computer, is it illegal for someone else to connect to that person's computer and view their files if no password is enabled and no firewall is installed? After all, that is the whole point of having it on in the first place, right? I mean Windows even comes with a command so that you may link to their shared resources.

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is it illegal

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Well, this isn't an ethics question, but thats beside the point.
YES. It is illegal.
The commands are put in place to use with a LAN, not to someone you don't know. Is it legal for you to walk in my house even though I left the screen door and the main door wide open? The doors can be closed, but they can also remain open. Either way, without my permission, you are breaking the by entering my house.

Yeah, without permission from that person you cannot access their compuet remotely :)

true, true....... i think it is illegal also, but i wonder way you want to know this? i think you sould keep yourself clean and play nice on the net. Bad net boys go to jail.

Of course its an ethical question. Ethics is the study of something morally right or wrong. When file sharing is enabled you open your computer to the internet. I have yet to see anything anywhere about file sharing having rules. I say if all Windows computer create a "net use" command for entering computers of other people who wish to share files, then it is like giving everyone on Windows a key to share with anyone who has certain shared resources enabled. That "net use" "key" is like permission to enter someone's home because the person on the other end is leaving the door open for them. If the person has the door closed then it would be illegal to enter. Which makes this question debatable I would say.

I kind of agree with Resolution...

In this age of filesharing with Napster Kazaa GNUtella and all the rest, I would not agree to it being illegal.
The web is a place of sharing information.
If you don't want to share the information, don't leave it out..
Windows Shares are like a addvert in the phonebooth stating:

FREE ACCESS TO ALL

Even if the door is open you still have no right to enter the house. Same goes with any idiot who leaves their keys in their car, you have no right to steal the car. If it's an ethical question then simply put, it's unethical to trespass on someone else's property whether you share a common link or not. That would be like you having the right to walk into your neighbor's house any time the front door is open, just because you share the same street.....

Resolution> It is not an ethical question. You did not say "Is it ethical..." you said, "Is it legal?" I don't think it is unethical for a 20 year old person to drink, but the government says it is illegal. There is a big difference between ethics and law.

Wrong, if I leave my door open, I have still not given you explicate permission to enter my house. If I leave my golf clubs on my deck, I have not given you explicate permission to take them. If (by mistake or the lack of knowledge) I open up file sharing on my computer, I still have not given you (or anyone else) explicate permission to enter my computer. If you do, it is ethically and morally wrong as you are doing something, which I have not granted you permission to do. It's just that simple.

DjM

Yes, if someone steals the keys from a person's car to enter their house then that would be illegal. Windows, however, hands everyone the key to the house. Not just that one person who's computer is open. Its like everyone having access cards to a computer lab. Its not breaking and entering if your given the "key" to enter.

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for entering computers of other people who wish to share files

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The key point is people who "wish to share files". That is why thigs like annonomous ftp were created also. They are giving everyone permission to see their files. But if I have a lan, and need file sharing for it, that doesn't give you (outside of my lan) permission to see what is on my machine.

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In this age of filesharing with Napster Kazaa GNUtella and all the rest, I would not agree to it being illegal.

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If I want you to access my files, I will install Napster, Kazaa, or GNUtella. Otherwise, stay out. Those programs explicitly give permission.

Ok, here is an example for you. I run a server that holds police records for EVERY criminal in the state of michigan, so that the police departments have simplified access to criminals from other counties. I am running a default RedHat 6.2 install. I have NEVER done a single update on this system. Obviously, a default install of Redhat 6.2 is about as secure as a piece of paper in a wind storm. Everyone knows what this machine is. Is it legal for you to take root access of that machine? Is it ethical?

And i agree Souleman. You just stated that you don't wish to have your files viewed. Although, there is no sign saying that when someone sees that file sharing is enabled on someone's computer unless they issue a password that will block unwanted people from viewing those resources. In my opinion, that password is the sign saying, "Authorized Users Only".

I use file sharing on my network. I do not use passwords on shares that are used by all other users on the network. Obviously, I am connected to the internet. So..if you found my compuer, you would see that 137 to 139 are all open and listening. Does that mean that I have givin you permission, even though in my last post, I told you that you do NOT have permission?

The key point in this issue is "Permission". The way you (Resolution) are looking at it, is if I have not told you 'you can't, you assume 'you can'. As for me, (and the vast majority within this thread) we look at it in the reverse, if I haven't said 'you can', then you must assume, 'you can't.

DjM

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Originally posted here by souleman

Is it legal for you to walk in my house even though I left the screen door and the main door wide open? The doors can be closed, but they can also remain open. Either way, without my permission, you are breaking the by entering my house.

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Souleman, You hit the nail on the head. If I could give you positive points, I would, but I don't yet have enough posts. The thought is there.

P.S. Resolution - Speaking of ethics, you should quote Neil Yong with your signature line.

Saying you don't have persmission and enforcing that rule are two different things. It would be the fault of the admin of the computer for not securing his system properly against unwelcomed people online. It is called shared resources because you are sharing certain accessible areas of your computer with anyone connecting to the network. As for the house analogies, would you share your personal belongings with outsiders just because the door is open? No. That's because those items are meant for you and you alone. You only share them with the people who live in your house (the people who have local access to your computer).

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As for the house analogies, would you share your personal belongings with outsiders just because the door is open? No. That's because those items are meant for you and you alone. You only share them with the people who live in your house (the people who have local access to your computer).

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We store food in our freezer for the guy that lives next door, because his freezer is not large enough. Therefore, we leave 1 door open during the day, so he can get in, even if we are not home. Does that mean that I am giving everyone in the neighborhood permission?

You REALLY need to read the book @large (I think). Its about a kid that kept hacking into a school system. He was mentally challanged, so he didn't have a concept of it being wrong. Well, he ended up only loosing his computer for a few years, but thats beside the point. With your point of view, you are going to end up doing some serious time.

So if you are at a party and a girl passes out, does that mean it is ok to have sex with her, since she never told you no?

I just want to say that this isn't my way of thinking. I just wanted to probe the question from both sides to see other people's points-of-view. So, not to start any arguments over this, I'll just yield right here. :-)

Woohoo, we won ;)

All things considered, good post Resolution. It did spark some good discussion.

DjM