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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let my new neighbour have our Wi-Fi password

226 replies

lozzylizzy · 19/10/2016 12:17

So our new adjoining neighbour came round to introduce himself and then asked if he could 'borrow' our wifi until he had his sorted next week (for work apparently). I was put right on the spot and didn't know what to say so he said that maybe I wanted to discuss it with DH and left. I don't think its a good idea.

DH has been winding me up saying poor man is bored etc but AIBU for thinking a neighbourly favour is taking in a parcel or putting out their bins and not sharing internet access with practically a stranger?

OP posts:
Pardonwhat · 19/10/2016 19:12

bimbobaggins -
Really? So you'd live alone with a toddler without Internet, mobile signal or a phone line for 10 weeks!? You're braver than me Smile

angryangryyoungwoman · 19/10/2016 19:16

I would let him use it for a week and then change the password. I would like to think someone would do the same for me.

bimbobaggins · 19/10/2016 20:00

pardon, not sure if that comment was for me because nowhere have I mentioned a toddler, no internet or phone line for ten weeks!

noeffingidea · 19/10/2016 20:20

Why angry when there are other options that don't compromise anyone's online security?

cheekychicken103 · 19/10/2016 20:27

Don't do it! No way!

FlabulousChic · 19/10/2016 20:29

I would

LeninaCrowne · 19/10/2016 20:31

Can't they get a wifi dongle thingy from a mobile phone shop?

mygorgeousmilo · 19/10/2016 20:34

I'm inclined to say hell NO!! But. In reality I'd probably let him, make sure I was secure myself, and change the password after a week or so. It is soooo effing annoying when you move and have no wifi - but I never asked to borrow the neighbour's, I just added a £5 unlimited internet thing onto my phone contract.

Catcrazy08 · 19/10/2016 20:38

I would not allow, too many problems and issues could arise, for instance if he looked up something dodgy, child porn, terrorism, it would show up as your IP address,I would go along with what has been suggested already in that limit for month is close, and speed is already rubbish in the household without sharing! Rather cheeky of new neighbour to ask I think, not the done thing to share wifi with neighbours, surely his work would understand if he had just moved and did not already have access set up...

bestcatintheworld · 19/10/2016 20:40

I sort of despair how little good will there is in the world (although I haven't read the entire FT. What's with all the hell no? Yes, I'd let him have it, image you were in his shoes? It can take a while to get connected, and some people do work from home. Just do a good deed, but limit it to, let's say a week, and then change the password, as others have suggested.

angryangryyoungwoman · 19/10/2016 20:40

noeffingidea
Because it's not a huge risk and I believe in doing favours for people

venusinscorpio · 19/10/2016 20:40

You don't need to be with BT to use a BT hotspot, you just need to pay. If it's BT broadband he's having set up it's possible he can use them for free already. Don't give him access to your wifi account, it's a lot to trust someone you barely know with.

Sara107 · 19/10/2016 21:04

No, for all the reasons mentioned - the security of your internet connection is compromised and you have no control over what he would be downloading ( or who he might share the access with - visitors etc). This is absolutely not about being mean, suspicious or ill willed. It's like lending someone your bank card and PIN.

Flingmoo · 19/10/2016 21:08

To all the people saying there's a lack of goodwill or that we're paranoid for saying no - I think we just have different understanding of the risk. What if the new neighbour asked for a key to your home or asked if they could borrow your car for a week? I know it's not entirely comparable but it's not risk-free, and let's face it this guy is a stranger! Not only that but I'm pretty sure it's against the T&Cs.

cozietoesie · 19/10/2016 21:08

This house's broadband spent some time on some internet blacklists because of someone else's' bad behaviour and I wouldn't wish to go through that again. I'd refuse.

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 19/10/2016 21:09

He should do what everyone else who's just moved house does and use his mobile data.

wurlycurly · 19/10/2016 21:42

I wouldn't have s problem with this. It's just a nice open, generous-spirited thing to do. Like watering a neighbour's plants or borrowing a pint of milk. I would hope someone would do the same for me.

pamish · 19/10/2016 22:12

I did this for my new neighbours, for a week or so while they were getting their own b/band installed. It's pretty easy to change a password, in fact having something you can remember instead of g378f y34ty023 can be useful when your phone drops its signal.

They said it was just for picking up emails and minor web use, no big deal. I live in that dream world where I'd rather trust people (with caveats) than think everyone is about to do me over. Using the connection to do anything dodgy would show up on their hardware not just my ISP, so not a real risk.

PickAChew · 19/10/2016 23:00

Pardonwhat - my parents raised me without even a phone line for a good 10 years! I suspect that most of us here were toddlers in pre-Internet days.

bloodyteenagers · 19/10/2016 23:24

Some random person I don't know? Not a chance.
Couldn't give a shiny shit if it's neighborly or not. Any illegal downloads, peer sharing and countless other activities would come back to me. Any attempted hacking into others would be down to me. Not just talking porn here either. Movies, books, music etc. And of course porn and abuse.
Being on the same network as someone else open you up to being hacked. There's too many variables.
I don't go round giving my house keys to anyone simply because it would be neighbourly, because I like to protect my stuff. If others want to take ridiculous risks, go for it. But do yourself a huge favour and actually investigate the risks. And investigate how it all works, because any wrong doing it won't be the address the laptop is to look at their device. It stops with you.

MyPeriodFeatures · 19/10/2016 23:45

Wtaf? I'd say 'yeah sure' give him a dud password then just vaguely brush off any attempts to get the correct one from you.

He will use your wifi forever otherwise and is no doubt addicted to porn and cross dressing so will be down loading gifs of nasty things on your network

KaosReigns · 20/10/2016 06:26

My neighbour hooked in to our wi-fi (without permission once) I was able to leave a lovely note on the desktop of their computer telling them not to do it again (and had a good nosey at their files while I was in there).

Unless you know what you're doing regarding networks and hom groups I wouldn't let a stranger access your wi-fi.

Mol1628 · 20/10/2016 06:42

Neighbourly is lending sugar/cups etc till they've unpacked. Not compromising your security. Definitely don't do it. Cheeky to ask.

noeffingidea · 20/10/2016 07:21

Some people are so funny.
'Not a huge risk'.
'Like watering plants or borrowing a pint of milk'.

RetroImp · 20/10/2016 07:28

Personally, if a new neighbour asked me this then I feel they have some boundary issues. It's inappropriate to ask something like that from strangers. For someone brand new moving in that is too much too soon to ask. I live in a central urban location with short-term tenants either side. It might be different in a rural setting but even then it be a no for me. I rely on my Internet connection for work so I have back-up arrangements if there is an issue with my connection. I expect a professional to do the same. Since the neighbour was aware he needed access to the Internet, he should have made provisions for that.

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