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Original poster

Neighbour asking to share wifi temporarily

88 replies

papergazelle · 10/01/2019 23:14

I’ve lived in the flat next to my neighbours for a year and a half, never really spoken except the occasional hello, though we will take in parcels for each other and leave them at each other’s doors.

Today I got a note asking if they could use my wifi for a week, as they’ve changed their broadband and are waiting on their new router to arrive. They also stated that they’re willing pay some of the bill and left their mobile number for me to send the password and internet name to if I agreed to it.

DH thinks they’re being cheeky to even ask and says that we should write a note back saying we’re on a limited plan so can’t share. I agree with him but I’m too soft for my own good so still feel bad for turning them down and really awkward about responding to them

WWYD? How would you go about responding to a request like this?

OP posts:

Solasum · 10/01/2019 23:15

Say no. If they have a smart
Phone they can use it to provide a temporary personal hotspot

LoniceraJaponica · 10/01/2019 23:16

No way. Just no. It is far too open to abuse.

W0rriedMum · 10/01/2019 23:17

No way!

Wolfiefan · 10/01/2019 23:17

Not a chance!

PeaQiwiComHequo · 10/01/2019 23:19

just say no. you have no way to monitor what they do and there is plenty of dodgy stuff they could do.

they could buy a one-off data bundle on their phone for £20 or less to see them through. they don't need to freeload.

cheesywotnots · 10/01/2019 23:19

I wouldn't unless I knew them really well, you don't know what they could download or access or who else could get hold of your password. If I lost my wifi I would go to family, friends or the library.

gingerbread88 · 10/01/2019 23:19

My first instinct would be that yeah I would, things like that don't bother me and it's nice to be kind to each other.
But you have said you don't know each other very well and it would concern me not knowing if they stopped using it, guess you could change the password after the duration of the favour or just say no...

Floralgizelle · 10/01/2019 23:19

Id say no, sounds a bit odd tbf, i think your husbands response is a good idea and means your not directly saying 'NO'. So you shouldnt feel awkward.

TechnicalSergeantGarp · 10/01/2019 23:19

I'd respond "no, hope you get sorted out".

VanGoghsDog · 10/01/2019 23:19

I would, you can change the password after the agreed time.

Penguin34 · 10/01/2019 23:19

I would, doesn't cost anything. Just change the password after a week, if you're worried.
I'd let my neighbour in a heartbeat

ovenchips · 10/01/2019 23:20

If you don't want them to, then say no.

If you don't mind, I would do it but a) would ask for a small contribution upfront b) would be clear it was just until a certain date. Then on that date, I'd reset password.

Productrecall · 10/01/2019 23:21

Unless you want to give them an invoice to be paid before use, and be prepared to change your password in a week's time, send your dh's note. It's a bit of a weird thing to ask.

You could let them know about the mobile hotspot thing - I didn't know about it until someone showed me.

mumsastudent · 10/01/2019 23:22

no security issues - they could go to the local library or internet café -give them written list through door

AnnieOH1 · 10/01/2019 23:22

Just say that you stream TV and your connection struggles even with a phone browsing the net, you'd love to help but can't. :)

elasticfantastic · 10/01/2019 23:23

No def not. Anything they do online the IP address will come back to your details. Fraud, child porn , whatever... I may be cynical as I work dealing with this type of crime but it's because of that I know how common it is. As per pp, they can use their phones or take their laptops to a cafe with free WiFi for a week.. Macdonalds!

Mumlington · 10/01/2019 23:24

They weren't being cheeky in my opinion but just asking because there's no harm in asking. If you don't know them very well then I would definitely politely refuse. Surely they can survive without WiFi for a while.

Plus, if they can access your WiFi they can do lots of other stuff too if they are knowledgeable in that area, like viewing what your watching or doing online.

HollowTalk · 10/01/2019 23:24

No way under those circumstances. I've known my neighbours for decades and love them to bits. I'd do it for them, but not for people who are not my friends.

theworldistoosmall · 10/01/2019 23:29

The only neighbour I do this with I have known for years and we are really friendly. Over the years when one of ours has been down we have happily shared.
Wouldn't do it with all my neighbours though.
Smart TV's can also be an issue lol. My neighbours DD used to send youtube vids to my TV when she was at home.

Sethis · 10/01/2019 23:32

I would. What exactly is the risk?

Them being able to access your router does not give them access to your computers or devices.

Them being able to access your router does not allow them to give your devices viruses if they download something dodgy to their own computers.

What could they be doing that is illegal, apart from talking to terrorists? If they download illegal music or movies, and the police give a crap (which they won't) then a forensic search of your devices will reveal you've downloaded nothing of the sort, and you can point them at the neighbours.

There is no risk of any kind involved in this, unless they are actively malicious hackers, or you're completely un-tech savvy and allow your devices to be accessed remotely via your home network.

The odds of your neighbours being hackers is incredibly remote.

I'd give them the code and just say "don't take the piss with data, and if it causes problems with our own netflix streaming then I'll send you a message and ask you to log off for a bit, okay?" and job done.

ChakiraChakra · 10/01/2019 23:34

No harm in asking but I'd say no. You don't know them, they could be doing anything with it.

theworldistoosmall · 10/01/2019 23:37

There's more to illegal online activities than just talking to terrorists, or downloading music/films.
Police doing a forensic search isn't a quick take the equipment and pop it back the following day. I'm sure many of us would be very inconvenienced having to hand over all devices for several weeks.

Yinv · 10/01/2019 23:37

No.

On the face of it, it seems like a kind thing to share with them. But reasons against:

they don’t actually speak to you and you don’t know them
you could be held responsible for stuff downloaded on your WiFi

Make up an excuse if you want, but also provide a solution.

We cannot lend you WiFi but when ours is broken, we use our phones as personal hotspots. We are at the limit of our plan. Or you turn it off to control a teen/tween using it all the time. Etc.

likeaprayer · 10/01/2019 23:44

I wouldn't and if they have changed their broadband or router the supplier would not cut off there old broadband until new router/supplier was in place. So I wouldn't believe they only need it for a week

elasticfantastic · 10/01/2019 23:47

@Sethis that's very naive. If someone on your WiFi uses a stolen credit card to do online shopping, you'd be suspect number 1 as it would be your IP address. Same for any online illegal activity. It's the first thing police will check.

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