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Original poster

Cleaner wants internet access - WWYD

425 replies

BlankProfile · 06/11/2020 00:06

We have had our cleaner for several years. She's honest, reliable and does a reasonable job.
Our internet password is on the back of the box and at some point she has seen this and used it to sign into our network. I found out today because we have recently changed our password and she asked me for the new one, obviously forgetting she had never asked me for the password in the first place.
It's annoyed me, but we have unlimited data and in the time she's been using it, it's never caused a problem.
Should I give her the new password?

OP posts:
EarthSight · 06/11/2020 10:09

@sirfredfredgeorge

Why didn't she go to the toilet before she arrived? Why does she need a drink of water, couldn't she have brought a bottle filled at home?

Internet access is a utility, you should provide it for your visitors.

No. Comparing it to water is simoly ignorant the extreme. You ckearly have no idea about basic cyber security. Makes me wonder what else you do that makes you vulnerable online.
BobsYerUnclee · 06/11/2020 10:12

@AcornAutumn

Understood.

I'd be inclined to ask the cleaner what she's using it for and I agree, using without asking is ignorant.

But all these idiots claiming they're holding the countries secrets, are baffling me. Keep yourself safe and ensure others on your network know the risks. Even better, blacklist unsafe websites. Really isn't difficult.

We live in a digital age. Internet safety is a basic necessity and sadly, not many have profound knowledge of it.

BloggersBlog · 06/11/2020 10:13

Not sure why people are saying about needing it for school to contact her. If they need her urgently they will ring her, they are hardly going to email or WhatsApp her are they.

It is fair enough if she is there for 3-4 hours and checks her email in her break, but she wont need it if she is only there for 1-2 hours

CandidaAlbicans2 · 06/11/2020 10:14

@BlankProfile

I am annoyed she didn't ask - that's basic manners for anyone in somebody else's house. I would be equally annoyed if a friend did the same. She has no idea what our data package is.
Exactly why I'd feel the same as you OP. I can see why she might want WiFi whilst cleaning to stream music but, as you say, she had no idea what you data limit was and whether that would impact on you. For that she's being cheeky. Ask = "yes of course", take without asking = Hmm
EarthSight · 06/11/2020 10:16

@Girlzroolz

I'm a millennial and I think you're totally sensible about your security.

Does the singing teacher live in a houseshare? The bedroom might be the only place she gets a decent level of privacy and quiet. She's of the age where she's likely to be at uni. She's quite young still. By the time she's 25 she may well cringe that she ever did that. Mind you, I would have still made sure I propped the phone or laptop securely on the desk and dressed myself properly. Not smart, but quite conservative.

BarbaraofSeville · 06/11/2020 10:17

Podcasts I download but if I finish one I might need to download another. Phones do have storage limits

That won't be troubled by a few dozen podcasts.

I currently have 30 hours of podcasts in my podcast app ready to be listened to when I'm out and about. It all happens automatically on my home wifi without me having to think about it. There's still loads of storage available on my cheap phone.

Nanny0gg · 06/11/2020 10:20

@BlankProfile

I'm amazed that so many of you think taking the password without asking or mentioning it is OK. Just shows how it of touch I am with this sort of thing. I would never walk into someone's house and take their WiFi logon details without checking with them.
If this was a thread about a neighbour or friend wanting the password the overwhelming answer would be Hell No!

You have no idea what they're doing, what they want it for and basically they're CFs who should use their own data.

However, if she does just want it for Spotify and can't use her own data I wouldn't mind (but yes, she should have asked the first time)

Cheeseandwin5 · 06/11/2020 10:21

@EarthSight
You ckearly have no idea about basic cyber security. Makes me wonder what else you do that makes you vulnerable online.
This response baffles me. The OP trusts the cleaner to move around her home unsupervised, but you think that is less important then her knowing the wifi?

OP - you have unlimited WIFI, it doesn't cost you anything whether she is listening to music or taking to someone etc.
It could cost her though depending on the plan she is on.
It seems a very petty thing to do and I would think losing a good cleaner that you can trust will be more painful

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 06/11/2020 10:31

I am surprised how many people don't change their Wi-Fi access key and leave it as the allocated one.

AcornAutumn · 06/11/2020 10:47

Bob “ Internet safety is a basic necessity and sadly, not many have profound knowledge of it.”

But you’re the one saying it’s fine to hand over the password!

I’m not an expert. I err on the side of caution. I think that’s fair enough.

MyOtherProfile · 06/11/2020 11:23

Other than listening to music I can't think why a cleaner coming in for a couple of hours would need your WiFi. I do see the music streaming would be a good reason though and this makes me think I should ask my cleaner if she wants to have our WiFi password. Or she could just use the Alexa I guess.

CorianderLord · 06/11/2020 11:51

Obviously... it's not like she's drinking your wine

towers14 · 06/11/2020 11:55

Cleaner here, I've logged on to WiFi's when the password is on display as I listen to the radio on my phone. Some houses have really bad phone coverage so I have asked for password for receiving calls. If anybody had said no I'd think them a twat and question wether to carry on working for them.

MintyMabel · 06/11/2020 11:58

I don't know why she would need it.

I use work WiFi so the background apps don't suck up data. I also use WiFi calling as phone signal is poor. So I don't miss calls from the school. Sometimes I have Spotify playing music.

It costs you nothing for her to have it and as long as she does a good job, why does it matter if she needs it?

Treat adults like adults, even though you think you are superior to them.

MintyMabel · 06/11/2020 12:00

You shouldn't give anyone your internet code, you don't know what they're downloading, looking at or who they're sharing it with

If this is your beef (as ridiculous as it is) just set up a restricted guest password.

MintyMabel · 06/11/2020 12:01

Why should OP go out of her way to do something obscure

Obscure 😆😆😆

It's pretty standard practice.

SunshineCake · 06/11/2020 12:02

I would talk to her and say I'm disappointed she helped herself without asking and depending on how she responds I would ask why she wanted it before deciding whether to give it to her or not.

I'm not very technologically educated so I don't know if her being able to use the data would be an issue. The taking without asking is for me.

MintyMabel · 06/11/2020 12:03

I don’t give WiFi password to anyone, it’s security issue

It's printed on the back of the box. Not a security issue to the OP as she didn't bother to change it when it was installed.

Billben · 06/11/2020 12:18

I would be pretty annoyed that she hadn’t asked in the first place. Common curtesy, surely.

Billben · 06/11/2020 12:20

@Scbchl

I turn my mobile data off at work and use their internet. The reason for this is because most people contact me via WhatsApp and it stops my mobile date running out before the end of the month. I imagine she is the same and I genuinely dont see the issue. Everyone who comes in my house uses the wifi - family members, children's friends, my friends. I wouldnt find it any stranger for the cleaner to log onto it. Find your feelings about this really strange.
So it’s alright for you to save your mobile data but use someone else’s allowance? It’s not your employer’s problem that people mainly contact you on WhatsApp.
GreySkyClouds · 06/11/2020 12:31

@Raindropsonrosesand

No, I'm very cautious about giving out WiFi password. People who are properly into IT security generally have a 2nd guest network at home: either a completely separate connection or else with their router providing that feature. I haven't done that, but only give out our password to family.

Easiest risk is if they do anything illegal from your WiFi (eg download media illegally) then you're responsible, and hard to prove it wasn't you.

But also, access to your network exposes all the computers on that network.

Good point on legal responsibility. I’ve never thought of this before.
MintyMabel · 06/11/2020 12:37

Well, I'm struggling to know why a cleaner would need to access the internet when she's cleaning

Even after the plethora of posts explaining why?

MintyMabel · 06/11/2020 12:42

I would talk to her and say I'm disappointed she helped herself without asking and depending on how she responds I would ask why she wanted it before deciding whether to give it to her or not.

Jesus! She is an adult, an employee, not a naughty child. OP left her password easy to access, doesn't give a crap about security and gives the cleaner free access to her home. Why are you suggesting she treats her like shit over a non issue.

Also, if you have an internet connection and haven't taken the time to read up about security and responsibilities, that's incredibly foolish.

SunshineCake · 06/11/2020 13:43

Good job DH Is on top of it all then isn't it Hmm. All secure here. @MintyMabel

And taking without asking is what some children do do so yes, she needs telling.

Crunchymum · 06/11/2020 13:45

Why do you employ a cleaner who is "reasonable?"