If you are going to use the free Wi-Fi, buy a latte or muffin

Once again the old adage rings true, nothing in life is free!  Reading Bill Brenner's Security Bytes blog about some poor SOB sitting in front of a coffee shop (not Starbucks) in Sparta, Mich surfing the web. Turns out under Michigan law because he did not buy anything, it was deemed he was potentially guilty of a felony for hacking!

The web surfer was faced with two choices.  Fight the charges and risk up to 5 years in jail and a $10,000 dollar fine or enroll in a diversion program, 6 months probation and and 40 hours of community service.  Faced with this choice, he took the easy way out and pleaded guilty. In contrast to the Julie Amero case where she refused to take the easy way out and will hopefully be fully vindicated.

Moral of the story, next time buy the coffee to be safe (now we know why the coffee is 4 bucks!)