In these installations of DSL in high density urban locations including apartment buildings, the speed degradation is noticeable and immediate when someone else is also using the WiFi signal. Conversely the speed of a cable modem-based WiFi connection is at times so fast there is no noticeable speed degradation as a result. Those that contend that using a neighbor's WiFi signal when their neighbor is connected via cable modem seek rationalization for taking excess bandwidth, and is also the argument those people use who freely share their paid-for access (Dalton, 2008). The actual WiFi Access Point or transmitter in a persons' apartment or home can vary in broadcasting strength, with the most fundamental ones only capable of producing a strong enough signal for 50 feet. In suburban areas were the homes are typically 1,800 feet or greater, there is also the tendency to get a WiFi Access Point capable of propagating signals well over 100 feet or more. Making the signals strong enough to be read anywhere in the home also makes them quickly accessible by neighboring homes as well and bandwidth is taken often. It is commonplace to find more powerful Access Points in apartments of professionals in the it industry as they plan on using their WiFi enabled devices throughout their entire living area, not just in a single room. The WiFi signal strength is proportional to the standards supported by the Access Points as well. The proliferation of WiFi Access Points has also driven down the cost of electronics as well, with one of the most powerful standards, 802.11g being commonplace. The right combination of factors is emerging for Internet WiFi access to be used by anyone living near an Access Point that has not been configured for secure operation. The use of encryption technologies including Service Set Identifiers (SSID)s to customize security of a given wireless network so that only WiFi-enabled devices including PDAs, laptops or desktop computers with wireless cards installed in them can view the wireless network is crucial for securing a wireless network. The defining of a unique SSID takes...

Only by taking the necessary steps to create a security-enabled Access Point using unique SSIDs and also having the specific authentication code on the devices to connect to the Access Point, can security be assured.
Summary

The troubling aspect of the ethics of WiFi is that many cable companies, by not using better selection screening for installers, a lax approach to ethical training, and a lack of commitment to teach customers how to secure their WiFi networks, actually promote bandwidth stealing. The ethical dilemma of the installers in continually providing service despite knowing the signals can be freely used by anyone is part of the problem, yet more troubling than this is the chance dishonest neighbors can access the person's PCs who is paying for the service. This service breach is far more serious than the bandwidth being used by those that don't pay for it.