572 Lex ET Scientia. IT Series LESIJ NR. XVI, VOL. 2/2009 LEGAL CHALLENGES POSED BY WI-FI NETWORKS Maxim DOBRINOIU ∗ Iustin PRIESCU ∗∗ Abstract Nowadays, the electronic communications market is in a high development, and this trend will not be diminished even by the newly world economic crisis. Studies show a significant growth in people’s interest for Information Society (IS) services, with emphasize on the mobility of the resources. On the other hand, Internet has become more than a “network of networks”, but a way of life, and user’s addict to computer systems and IS services often reveal interesting aspects and controversial in the same time. Modern forms of electronic communications rely more and more on the wireless Internet connections (Wi-Fi), and this conclusion could be eventually based on the following realities: 1) Users continue to migrate to wireless technology; 2) Users prefer wireless connectivity; 3) Users are attracted by costless Internet connections; 4) Users are fascinated by the possibility of hiding their online activity and behaviour. Although certain security measures can be easily applied in order to prevent the spread of cyber-related crimes, the wireless (Wi-Fi) connection to Internet also rise up a lot of controversial aspects, most of them about the legality of the connection itself, topic that the authors try to approach in this study. Keywords: wireless, illegal access, computer system, crime, electronic communications. Introduction to Wi-Fi concepts Nowadays, the electronic communications services market is in full development, and this trend cannot be diminished even by the newly emerged world economic crisis. Regardless the country in question or the rank comparing to other states, studies show a significant growth in world people’s interest in Information Society (IS) services, with a strong emphasize on the mobility of the resources. The Internet has become more than a „network of networks”, but a way of life, and the addiction of the users for computer systems and electronic services often highlights interesting aspects, but controversial in the same time. Right now, assuming the inevitable exceptions, we could launch an analysis based on the following facts: a. Users are more and more interested in Information Society services. Beyond the simple connection to Internet, a large number of the socio-economic segments of life acknowledge a significant development in cyberspace (for example, electronic commerce, e-banking, e-payment, e-media, e-petition and so forth); b. Users continue to migrate to a larger extent towards mobile equipments and „wireless technology”. Electronic consumer markets is oriented mainly to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled electronic devices, while the selling of smartphones, PDAs and Notebooks providing Internet connectivity is beyond any expectation; c. Users prefer, more and more, the wireless connectivity. The entire world is in a continuous movement, and time seems to compress day by day. Even if we are talking about keeping in touch with business partners, friends or family members through VoIP connections, about reading electronic mail messages, reading of the online newspapers or magazines, finding ∗ Lecturer, Ph.D., „Nicolae Titulescu” University, Bucharest (e-mail: office@e-crime.ro). ∗∗ Lecturer, Ph.D., „Titu Maiorescu” University, Bucharest.