German court: Web users must secure wireless connection to stop others from using it illegally

German Web users must use password to secure WLAN

BERLIN — Germany’s top criminal court says Internet users need to secure their private wireless connections by password to prevent unauthorized people from using their Web access to illegally download data.

The court in Karlsruhe ruled Wednesday that Internet users can be fined up to €100 ($126) if a third party takes advantage of their unprotected WLAN connection to illegally download music or other files.

But the court stopped short of holding the users responsible for the illegal content the third party downloads themselves.