This is scary.

Authorities warn of wireless cyber pirates

DOUGLAS COUNTY - The Sheriff's Department says it's going to start warning computer users that their networks may be vulnerable to hackers.

"If someone is driving by on the street they could easily use your internet access to commit a crime, whether it's fraudulent credit card transactions or surfing child porn or something else," said Brian Radamacher, a member of the Douglas County Sheriff's Special Investigations Unit.

Wireless computer equipment sends out signals that sometimes broadcast for up to a mile.

Other computer users can home in on those signals and use them to access the internet.

Radamacher says hackers can use stolen Internet access to make fraudulent credit card purchases or bank transfers.

He also says hackers can upload or download such things as child pornography.

That activity would be completely invisible to the legitimate owner of that network.

However, it could make innocent computer users vulnerable to having their computers confiscated during police investigations.