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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:
itsgettingwierd · 09/05/2021 16:15

Change it.

And if they come round and say it's not working don't make up silly lies.

Just tell them if they have a problem with their WiFi to call their provider as yours is working fine.

You don't need to justify why your neighbour cannot use your WiFi

daisychain01 · 09/05/2021 16:17

I have never understood how some people have the brass neck to ask.

Oh, there's always an abundance of CFs about.

What I can never understand is how people are so gullible they'd just give away their WIFI password without a thought, and actually think that it's because they're "nice kind people".

No sorry to break it to you, you really aren't, you're daft.

OP change the password and if they come knocking, you be the one to tell them they cannot have your code because it compromises your security, so pay for your own sodding router NDN, end of conversation. Don't let your DP get involved, they obviously aren't thinking straight.

ElderMillennial · 09/05/2021 16:21

They are CFs

Nothingyet · 09/05/2021 16:23

If they are streaming films or games they can slow your broadband down so you may not be able to watch stuff on Amazon Prime or Netflix while they are doing it.

DancingInTheGarden · 09/05/2021 16:24

@Sparkles556 while you change the password you can change the name displayed - very easy to do.
Change this as well and then the neighbour can't see that connection any more. Then, if she asks, you can say you've had trouble with your wifi and waiting for the supplier to fix it. And casually ask "Oh you didn't do anything to break it while you used it did you??"

HerMammy · 09/05/2021 16:25

I’m astounded that he gave it to them, neighbours that you are far from friendly with, is he an idiot all of the time??

CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 09/05/2021 16:25

@prh47bridge

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.

This. They also have access to your network, so if they’re particularly tech savvy could hack your devices, etc. Your DH is an idiot.
Yummymummy2020 · 09/05/2021 16:38

Def change it. They can download stuff and it will be under your account. Plus you don’t even like the people. It’s not the same as giving milk or sugar if someone is caught short. Better safe than sorry!!!

CharityDingle · 09/05/2021 16:38

@daisychain01

I have never understood how some people have the brass neck to ask.

Oh, there's always an abundance of CFs about.

What I can never understand is how people are so gullible they'd just give away their WIFI password without a thought, and actually think that it's because they're "nice kind people".

No sorry to break it to you, you really aren't, you're daft.

OP change the password and if they come knocking, you be the one to tell them they cannot have your code because it compromises your security, so pay for your own sodding router NDN, end of conversation. Don't let your DP get involved, they obviously aren't thinking straight.

Exactly!
Bagamoyo1 · 09/05/2021 16:45

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross

I'm so confused. Presumably this is your WiFi account for your home that you pay for, right? I don't understand why your husband is giving the password out for that to your neighbours.

I mean, presumably if they dropped round after you'd been shopping and asked for some of your groceries, or if they stopped by and asked for your Netflix log-in, or brought their laundry round and asked you to tumble it as they didn't want to run their electricity bill up, he wouldn't just agree to that - would he?

This is exactly what I was thinking!
OhRene · 09/05/2021 16:58

Glad you changed it.

If you don't want major conflict, If (when) they have the cheek to knock, simply say, "Oh that explains why I've had to do a full reset of my router and rejoin all my devices. It had stopped working properly. Obviously knowing what happens, I can't give you our password. It'll affect my bandwidth again."

My teens friends have access to our WiFi when here but one (who isn't welcome any more anyway as I found out she'd been in my room looking through my jewellery boxes!) has family living next door. She must have given them our password as all the devices linked blew up. I had to reset the password.

EggysMom · 09/05/2021 16:59

Now you've changed the router password, don't leave it lying around for DH to give out! Log him into his device, then hide the password where he won't find it.

cabingirl · 09/05/2021 17:02

I'm in the USA but my router is linked to an app on my phone and I can see which devices are logged in at any one time. I can also turn off the wifi for a specific person without affecting anyone else - useful when you have kids with screen time limits and adults working from home.

It sends me a text message if anyone new joins the router even if they have had permission previously to do so and know the password.

PussGirl · 09/05/2021 17:17

Some people are beyond cheeky

Jux · 09/05/2021 17:29

And some people are beyond idiotic! Why would anyone give out their wifi password?

riceuten · 09/05/2021 17:34

I would

a) change the password tonight when you go to bed
b) when they come knocking say "Oh, we only thought you wanted it for a day, what seems to be the issue?"
c) if they claim that they've ordered broadband "but it will be a couple of months away", say, "Oh right, let me show you how to tether your laptop to your phone.
d) listen to whatever bollox they tell you about why they need it and say "Well, I don't mind a one off, but I'm not sure why you should be getting something I'm paying for for nothing". Believe me, they will never order their own broadband if you continue to share yours with them.

Devlesko · 09/05/2021 17:44

Do people really just hand over personal details like that, how do they manage to function with day to day life, without serious repercussions Grin

memberofthewedding · 09/05/2021 17:54

I wouldnt even give my wifi password to a relative, let alone a neighbour. If they asked they would get a few choice words. I wont even give them my phone number or email address. Neighbours - I hate the bloody things.

Miasicarisatia · 09/05/2021 18:11

I will be ready for her if she knocks on again
keep giving her a false pw...what a laugh you can have🤣

PhilCornwall1 · 09/05/2021 20:12

Change the SSID of the router to:
"IveChangedThePasswordYouCheekyFuckers!".

daisychain01 · 09/05/2021 20:36

@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 ...

Have a separate Guest Wifi account with a separate password. Easy. Secure. Change it every month.
lanatolater · 10/05/2021 11:14

I could understand if they knocked to say theirs was down and they needed to borrow it for a short time. I let my elderly neighbour use mine because she barely uses it and she's broke.

Maybe knock and say that you hope their wifi problem is sorted now because you have to kick them off it as it's making yours too slow

Whythesadface · 10/05/2021 11:20

Waiting for the door to be knocked.
Bet she waits till your DH is home.

TheSmallAssassin · 10/05/2021 11:26

Have you changed your WiFi password (the one on your router) or the password for your account with your ISP provider? If you haven't had to change the wifi password on your phone to get WiFi access back, then you've changed the wrong one.

To change the WiFi password, you normally have to log on to the router (there will be instructions on the back of it) and not your online account.

WeeGobshiteBentBastard · 10/05/2021 11:27

@titchy

So if they start money laundering, buying drugs off the dark web, distributing porn, the police will be knocking at your door because it's your IP address that's been used. FFS how stupid of you. Angry
yep. Sorry OP your dh is a fool. Change it now.