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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:
BelleBlueBell · 09/05/2021 14:10

@BluebellsGreenbells

Your router will have instructions on it with the current password
Your router might but mine doesn't, when I got it I thought about changing the password to something we could all remember rather than random characters, it has what the password is but no instructions. Are yours actually printed out in steps on the router itself?
DishingOutDone · 09/05/2021 14:10

Why on earth would your DH do this and don't say "he has trouble saying no" - is he 5?! What if they come round tomorrow and ask for your bank account details? (mind you they probably have them now anyway) Hmm

BelleBlueBell · 09/05/2021 14:12

@category12

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.

I have teens whose friends use the Wi-Fi and also have a drink and a snack but I don't go round to their houses and provide free catering Grin
Gothichouse40 · 09/05/2021 14:13

I would not do this for neighbours I know. Contact your internet provider, they can help you with this. However, I think your neighbours had a cheek asking.

GrumpyTerrier · 09/05/2021 14:15

Nevermind that they could be looking at dodgy stuff-- more simply, why should they use for free the service that you pay for?

category12 · 09/05/2021 14:18

I wouldn't do it for neighbours I did know Grin. I pay for it fgs.

You wouldn't let someone tap into your electric or water supply, would you? You might let a neighbour use your hose once in a while or whatever, but you wouldn't just let them constantly fill up their pond from it or something, would you?

Whythesadface · 09/05/2021 14:19

YouTube will talk you through how to do this.
You can then set up a hub manager and block them.

MrsMaizel · 09/05/2021 14:22

If you feel you need to lie then say your provider has called and said you have to change your password as they have detected too much traffic on it and sorry you can't let them have it ...a load of bollocks
I know but plead ignorance .

osbertthesyrianhamster · 09/05/2021 14:24

@BelleBlueBell

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?
Me, too. WTAF?! Who does this and who gives out their password like some stupid mug? Fuck that. 'Can I have your WiFi password?' 'No, I don't give that out to people. Then it slows the speed and we need it to do our work.' The end.

As for living with someone who's wet and 'has trouble saying no to people', fuck that, too.

GrandDuchessRomanov · 09/05/2021 14:25

My DH has trouble saying no to things, hence the letter and photo's we get from "his elephant" every couple of months, but even he would'nt be that stupid as to give our wifi password out!

littlepattilou · 09/05/2021 14:28

@GrandDuchessRomanov

My DH has trouble saying no to things, hence the letter and photo's we get from "his elephant" every couple of months, but even he would'nt be that stupid as to give our wifi password out!
Sorry, but that's toooooo funny! Grin His 'elephant!'
safariboot · 09/05/2021 14:28

Change the password.

Stepping away from extreme scenarios: If they're on your wifi and their computer gets a virus, it could spread to your computers.

grapewine · 09/05/2021 14:30

I still can't believe that your boyfriend is so afraid of confrontation/or to offend that he lets your neighbours sponge off your Internet that you pay for. Just say no. He's being a total mug.

FixTheBone · 09/05/2021 14:30

Sharing wifi passwords is dodgy. A lot of phones and mobile devices now have convenience features that lets the password be shared amongst contacts - before long it could be in the hands of people you've never heard of.

Whilst they're on your network, not only could they be looking at all sorts, that will initially trace back to you, they could potentially access files on your devices if your security settings aren't set up correctly..

Ive set up a separate guest network on my WiFi which doesn't need a password, but has things like file sharing and adult content blocked and an limit on the total bandwidth so even if the neighbours are too cheap to pay for their own, it's only practical to use ours for websites and email rather than 3 kids hammering streaming services.

BelleBlueBell · 09/05/2021 14:31

@GrandDuchessRomanov

My DH has trouble saying no to things, hence the letter and photo's we get from "his elephant" every couple of months, but even he would'nt be that stupid as to give our wifi password out!
Did the elephant knock on the door and ask to be sponsored Grin
ivykaty44 · 09/05/2021 14:32

Change the password tonight about 10pm and then if they knock again

just say you can share it for the weekend but not all the time as we have to pay for it, so you need to get your own

GrandDuchessRomanov · 09/05/2021 14:35

@BelleBlueBell No sadly, I think it was a randomTrunk call.

CervixHaver · 09/05/2021 14:35

@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.

Connect to his internet, open a browser and type in this 192.168.1.254
knittingaddict · 09/05/2021 14:35

@custardbear

Change it! If they want it long term then no, tell them you don't have fast streaming so it's not working well fir you when it's used by too many
Why would you even feel the need to explain? I'm not being difficult, but I honestly don't understand why anyone would ask or why anyone would agree. It's not like asking for a cup of sugar is it?
Puntastic · 09/05/2021 14:36

@ivykaty44

Change the password tonight about 10pm and then if they knock again

just say you can share it for the weekend but not all the time as we have to pay for it, so you need to get your own

Or, you know, just say no?

Honestly, if my neighbours did this I'd look at them like they'd grown an extra head. Such cheek would not compute.

Grace58 · 09/05/2021 14:36

God absolutely change it, if they're likely to be awkward maybe go round first and say you're really sorry but you have to have secure wifi for work / similar excuse. I'd probably let my next door neighbours have it in the short term, but we're on good terms!

TalbotAMan · 09/05/2021 14:37

Most routers allow you to create a Guest network. Do that and change your main password.

DogsSausages · 09/05/2021 14:45

You might need to check devices and remove or block anything that doesnt belong to you

Thelnebriati · 09/05/2021 14:53

If your DP has trouble saying no he needs to learn to fudge it. He could have said something like 'oh we've lost it'.

Legoninjago1 · 09/05/2021 15:02

Wow that's one of the cheekiest things I've ever heard!