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AIBU?

To use a neighbour's unsecured broadband while I await my provider sending me a replacement router?

27 replies

bluejeans · 20/06/2009 00:38

...can't live without the internet!

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purpleduck · 20/06/2009 00:42

YABU

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FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 20/06/2009 00:44

I'd tell them that they have an unsecured network and that they need to password protect it. This would be reasonable.

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AitchTwoOh · 20/06/2009 00:46

gawd, totally use it. and once yours is in maybe mention that they should get a password? if it's unsecured, there are probably about fifty people on it right now...

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sockadoodledo · 20/06/2009 00:48

My BIL has his unsecured on purpose to assist those without broadband in his street He may be your neighbour so yanbu.
Though might be nice to mention it to them.

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midlandsmumof4 · 20/06/2009 00:49

If I were your neighbour I'd be really annoyed IF i knew it was happening-but actually my fault for not haven't necessary security in place,so.......

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bluejeans · 20/06/2009 00:52

I don't actually know which of my neighbours it belongs to!

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BitOfFun · 20/06/2009 00:53

I can't see the problem unless you are downloading stuff?

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AitchTwoOh · 20/06/2009 00:57

yes, no downloading, that's a bridge too far.
we've swapped passwords with our neighbours so that if someone's service goes down we can all get online.

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bluejeans · 20/06/2009 00:59

no - just mumsnet, hotmail and facebook - oh and BBC weather [innocent emoticon]

Made me realise how dependant on the worldwide web our house hold is though! (and how serious my mumsnet habit is )

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/06/2009 01:02

I have unsecured broadband, but I think I'd notice anyone else using it - I live in a farmhouse with walls so thick the wireless doesn't even make it to my office.

[fed up tripping over wires in a "wireless" house emoticon]

But YANBU if you're not doing anything "dodgy" that might cause the unknown neighbour harm.

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MrVibrating · 20/06/2009 01:12

Perhaps they have left it open so they can eavesdrop on what you are doing online?

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bluejeans · 20/06/2009 01:15

Mrvibrating - maybe I need to be more exciting? All families round here so could be any of us posting on MN

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/06/2009 01:17

You'd have to be fairly tech-savvy (I'm not) to eavesdrop on your neighbours pirating your broadband, and anyone that tech-savvy probably wouldn't have open broadband...

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MrVibrating · 20/06/2009 01:42

anyone that tech-savvy probably wouldn't have open broadband

... unless they had deliberately left it open so that they could steal passwords, money, your life etc. from you. Seriously, never use a wireless connection for anything significant unless you are sure you know who is providing it.

It could be some guy parked up in a car with wireless broadband, a WiFi card and some freely available software.

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 20/06/2009 01:49

I'm glad I don't have to live with that level of paranoia.

Seriously.

Though you do, of course, have a point.

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SomeGuy · 20/06/2009 10:08

Anything such as shopping/banking is likely to be encrypted using HTTPS. They could probably get your mumsnet password though. Not that should be terribly useful unless you use the same password for a more secure site, which is a very bad idea in any case.

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phatbooty · 20/06/2009 14:49

blimey...tell them to sort it out!

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MrVibrating · 21/06/2009 02:43

Anything such as shopping/banking is likely to be encrypted using HTTPS.

Yes, so the hacker will use a fake certificate - 9 out of 10 users will accept it.

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daintydinah · 21/06/2009 02:54

im not it literate...so how do i know if someone is using my line?. i have avg cover..is that what it takes to be safe? There was a situation a few weeks ago when i came to switch line off..something about .."another user is on line" not had that before or after. What am i to do?

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MrVibrating · 21/06/2009 03:21

If you have a wireless network, make sure that it is secured, preferably with WPA rather than WEP. Your broadband provider's support site should help you with this.

Failing that, come and ask on geeky stuff when there are a few more people around

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Nahui · 21/06/2009 05:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Picante · 21/06/2009 06:25

YANBU it's their fault they've not protected it.

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UndertheBoredwalk · 21/06/2009 06:45

YANBU, up to people to secure their connections if they don't want others on it. If I left mine open I'd fully expect people to use it!
There is someone around me that lets people use theirs, no idea who it is, but when you search for wireless, you get theirs and they've named it 'passwordisX' with the password in it. I am of course presuming they've done that so others can use it, and are not just extraordinarily dense
Although I did wonder why bother with a password at all.

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branflake81 · 21/06/2009 08:42

well I have to confess we used our neighbours' broadband for months before we got our own. We can access at least 5 different broadbands from our house and none is secure.

However, one of the connections we can see is called "fuck off and get your own broadband" so I guess people get wise to it.

I agree it was wrong though and, theoretically, stealing.

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SomeGuy · 21/06/2009 09:42

Not sure why you'd call it that. It'd just make people more likely to use it.

The solution is hidden SSID, WPA2-encryption, and preferably use the 5 GHz band as well. More effective than just 'fuckoff'

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