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Original poster

Next door asking for WiFi password

461 replies

Sparkles556 · 09/05/2021 12:21

Just want to start by saying I would do anything for anyone but I’m not quite sure we have done the right thing. Last night next door knocked on asking if they could have the WiFi password. I didn’t answer as I was upstairs, so DP did and he gave it her. Now, they aren’t my favourite people (putting that nicely) I put a thread a bit back saying how much of a nightmare they are. Not really sure why DP gave it her to be honest. I’m really paranoid now they have it. Does anyone know if they could do anything dodgy with it? I might be sounding dramatic but if so, could I change my WiFi password and would that kick them off it?

OP posts:
Roussette · 09/05/2021 13:43

I am Shockthat your DH didn't even ask them what the problem is, why they wanted it, and for how long?

You say he can't say no... so if they knock at the door and say they're a bit strapped for cash this month and could they rewire their mains into yours, just for a few weeks, would he say yes?!!

I am forever gobsmacked at people, honest I am.

We had a problem with a new provider and NDN kindly offered his because we've known each other 20 years and trust each other implicitly. Even then I didn't take it, just coped with mobile data until we were sorted.

Lollypop4 · 09/05/2021 13:44

@1WayOrAnother2

The reason you have a password on your wifi is so that people not paying for it (and not responsible for what is downloaded/viewed) can't use it!

Why would you give this away?

Turn it off until you learn how to change the password.

This. Bizarre to just give it out freely. cheeky of them to ask
BelleBlueBell · 09/05/2021 13:45

I can't believe how often this problem comes up, there are so many CF neighbours out there and weird partners. Why would anyone just give out the password without a second thought?

BelleBlueBell · 09/05/2021 13:46

@luccyloo

If you can't change the password you can normally access a list of connected devices. If you can find this you can kick them off.
Won't they just log straight back on? How does that help if the password isn't changed?
Sitchervice · 09/05/2021 13:49

Turn off your router and phone the people who provide the WiFi they can help.

Its NOT easy changing password as you need to beable to find your IP address and the only why I know how to do this is via Command line which is code.

Your husband in no way should not have given that password to someone. If they look at illegal stuff the police arnt going to knock on next door they'll knock on your door

PhilCornwall1 · 09/05/2021 13:51

Won't they just log straight back on? How does that help if the password isn't changed?

You can go further than that and block by MAC address, so they wouldn't be able to get back on.

Whilst it's possible to spoof a MAC (I do it in hotels all the time, so I don't pay for WiFi), unless they know what they are doing, this won't be a problem.

WallpaperLady · 09/05/2021 13:52

Wtaf CFs! If your husband is timid and doesn't want to say no, could he say you've had issues with the speed and you've changed the password so only those PAYING FOR IT have access!!!

They can see if another neighbour is as accommodating and realise their CF ways

BluebellsGreenbells · 09/05/2021 13:53

Your router will have instructions on it with the current password

FortunesFave · 09/05/2021 13:53

I agree with all the others. I DID give mine once to a neighbour but it was because she was a very nice, very vulnerable and lonely single parent of 24 years old. She had no family and barely enough money to feed herself.

She'd proven herself to be a lovely person who just had a bad time in life.

I saw her shoplift her lunch for work....she put her little girl before herself all the time and one day I advised her to look something up online and she confessed she had no more internet left.

So I gave her the password to ours. No regrets...she did nothing weird.

However....cheeky bastards who ask for it can bugger off.

Carbara · 09/05/2021 13:54

It’s up to your boyfriend to be figuring out how to change the password, it was his stupidity that caused this. Can he go on an assertiveness course or something, so he doesn’t need to keep pandering to random strangers for no reason. Embarrassing.

WallpaperLady · 09/05/2021 13:54

Also put it like this to him - would he be as accommodating if they asked for the keys to his car, just randomly? Probably not. Same applies to WiFi. Your responsible for it if there are any issues with the content downloaded /viewed if it is anything dodgy. I'm sure you can access websites and passwords too can't you, like banking stuff?

prh47bridge · 09/05/2021 13:55

No, that's utter bollocks. It would be traced back to the computers/tablet/phones IP address.

Unfortunately, the original post was not bollocks. Horehound is wrong. Your computer only has a local IP address, typically starting with 192. That IP address is only valid on your wifi network and is not visible on the internet generally. When you browse to a website, they will see your public IP address which will be the same for every device using your wifi router. So law enforcement can trace access to illegal content back to your router. A typical home router does not retain enough information to allow them to track it back to a specific device.

To see this, visit whatismyipaddress.com/. You will find that it shows the same IP address for every device connected to your wifi network.

You should never give your wifi password to others. It means they can hide any illegal activity by doing it on your internet connection rather than their own.

Pebbledashery · 09/05/2021 13:58

I'd happily provide my WiFi password to both sets of neighbours because I know and trust them and they've both looked after DD for me when I've had emergency stuff to do.. But in this circumstance.. No way. Change it ASAP.

Greenmarmalade · 09/05/2021 13:59

Say it’s slowing your connection too much (legitimate reason). Don’t apologise.

Change password.

PhilCornwall1 · 09/05/2021 14:01

No, that's utter bollocks. It would be traced back to the computers/tablet/phones IP address.

Sorry you are wrong. Read up on Public and Private IPs

rwalker · 09/05/2021 14:02

google it or go on youtube shows you how to access your hub manger it's all on there.

If she comes round again tell her you though she'd finished with it and you have a limited package and quite often run out.
Or you could just tell her to fuck off if you don't feel the need to make an excuse .

Frazzled2207 · 09/05/2021 14:02

@alrightfella

Firstly I wouldn't give out my password to a neighbour I neither knew nor liked. But I just wondered how many of you have teens?

The first thing all their friends do when they come round is log in to our WiFi ...

that's a bit different as presumably you know any friends turning up. No way would i give it to a neighbour unless it was an emergency and I could trust them not to do anything dodgy with it (use up all the bandwidth downloading or streaming would be my worry).

Cheeky fuckers. Change it today.

Budapestdreams · 09/05/2021 14:04

Unbelievable!
Is it changed yet OP?

pizzaobsessed · 09/05/2021 14:05

Turn your router off until you can call your broadband provider and get the password changed (seen as you don't know your password).

rwalker · 09/05/2021 14:05

@MrsLeclerc
My elderly father did this. Their new neighbours knocked a few days after moving in and said that their internet wouldn’t be connected until later in the week and could they use the wi-if password.

DM was out and found out after she got home. They called me as they were arguing about it so I had to explain the problems that come from giving out access.

Unfortunately DM’s been unable to change the password (it’s in DF name and he’s refusing to acknowledge there’s an issue and call their provider- that’s a whole separate issue!). There is a way that you can see how many devices are linked
up to the wi-if and I believe you can remove access from there.

There no need to call the provider the wi-fi password is on the hub go on youtube and there will be full instructions don't waste your time contacting provider .

littlepattilou · 09/05/2021 14:06

WTF? I would never ask a neighbour for their wifi password what a cheek!

@Sparkles556 I would be LIVID if my DH gave ours out.

Change it, pronto!

Roussette · 09/05/2021 14:07

Just change it, no need to tell them why.

If they push just say 'Oh, I thought you just wanted it for a few hours! We need the bandwidth so can't possibly let you have it for longer' and shut the door in their face Grin

Mooselaurels · 09/05/2021 14:09

iknowwhatyoudownload.com

Check they're not torrenting anything illegal!

category12 · 09/05/2021 14:10

Firstly I wouldn't give out my password to a neighbour I neither knew nor liked. But I just wondered how many of you have teens?

The first thing all their friends do when they come round is log in to our WiFi ...

But your kids' friends won't usually live within range of your WiFi the majority of the time, will they? They come, use your WiFi briefly while they visit and bugger off home again.

ArrrMeHearties · 09/05/2021 14:10

Get it changed now! They could be doing anything on it 🙈