Techy question re wifi access/ phone data

[Jog22]

I have tried to google this but I cannot word it effectively enough to get the info I need so here goes please oh clever women of mumsnet;

I want to know how to stop internet access to a particular bedroom in my house. I know the first thing is to change the wifi password and not divulge it however, I've found out that internet can then be streamed from a smartphone's data into the computer and so internet can be accessed that way. Would this be prohibitively expensive to 'the user' if they were likely to be using it for 18+ hours a day?

How easy is it for a techy-minded person to hack into the wifi code without it being known about?

(I know you want a back-story but that's more likely to be better dealt with on parents of adult children section if you get my drift.)

Depends how much data they have as part of their phone contract or they could also buy a mifi unit and a contract thays just for data to use with it.
Realistically unlikely if you choose a random strong password and not something that can be guessed, unless your missing out that theyre a hacker in their free time!

I agree the easiest thing to do would be to change the password to something they would have no chance of guessing and do not divulge it to anyone at all. If others in the house need access you can input the code so only you know it.

The person could also buy a data dongle to plug into the computer to access the Internet via 4G, rather than using a mobile phone.

You can set up the Wi-fi to only allow specific known devices to connect, as well as setting a very strong password and changing it regularly.

If they're using their phone as a hotspot there not much you can do without taking the phone off them, at that point they are no longer using your WiFi

Thanks everybody. Thats much clearer now. First step is a good strong password (if it gets to that) (and limits on connecting devices. )

I can see that they could easily pay for more gb / get dongle/mifi unit but its certainly inconvenient for them.

Don't leave your devices lying around. My laptop stores the wifi password and anyone with access (it is password protected but DH knows the password) can access my keychain and find the password out.

Also change the default router logon details, otherwise your kid/lodger/parent can just logon, get the details and log you out . The defaults are usually printed on the back of the device, you can change both the username and password.

Choosing a password that looks random but you want to remember, is difficult, I use the first letters of the lyrics to a memorable song, replace some letters with numbers or special characters. Makes it easier to remember as you can sing the song in your head while typing in the password.

I've looked up unlimited data phone deals so they would pay that (it's an adult) so changing the wifi would piss them off but not stop the behaviour. Thanks for the info re default router log on details. I work from home so can't risk mucking up my access.

Is the issue that they're using all your wifi or is it that they're wasting their life or doing possibly unsavoury things on the internet that you'd rather they didn't?

If it's about protecting your wifi, just change the password, if it's the latter, they can get their own device to access mobile data etc, so the only way you'd completely cut off their internet access would be to install a signal blocker or Faraday cage in their room, which is probably impractical.

I've been thinking on this wondering if it's just best to block their device instead of changing wifi then we can unblock it for certain amounts of time. It's the internet for 14 etc hours a day in their bedroom. Bear in mind this person is 25. Refuses to get a job or sign on. Is having one therapy session a week but refuses to go to a doctor or investigate any mental health reasons. There is a good voluntary job in the pipeline in a relevant field. I'm thinking if they refuse this then I refuse to allow them free wifi.

But as you say they will just throw money at this problem to solve it and then turn round and say well you made me pay so much for internet its eaten into the £9k I've saved living here and now I can't afford to move out.

I don't know, I'm so unhappy with the situation now I feel like moving out myself.

Surely the best option is that this person uses their 9k to move out, get a job and pay for their own Wi-fi?

ApolloandDaphne Yes. You are absolutely right. But he has no confidence in himself and also doesnt see why he should do a job that he doesn't like. Like the rest of us you know the normal plebs. He's more special apparently. Is there a diagnosis for someone with low self-esteem but a very high opinion of themselves?