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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

When to cut the neighbours internet connection off?

191 replies

Sammyham88 · 12/09/2018 01:01

New neighbours moved in across the hall from me yesterday. They knocked on to introduce themselves and ask if they could get the password for the wifi, their English was very broken and I'd just got out the shower so feeling a tad embarrassed being stood there with sopping wet hair and also not wanting to coming across rude on our first meeting just gave it to them..

However my connection is shite now, everything is taking ages to load or stream and I'm kinda worried that with our struggling to communicate properly they think the wifi is included like I've had in other buildings I've lived in before, really don't want to bring up this issue so soon when I've only just met them and given them the code.

AIBU to give it two weeks and then change the password and if they say anything respond by saying I'd have thought they'd probably have their own connection set up by now or should I stop being a wuss, give it a couple of days and then pop around to explain the situation? After having a complete arse living across from before I really don't want us to get off on the wrong foot

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 12/09/2018 01:04

Stop it immediately!

MrsJonSno · 12/09/2018 01:04

Why on Earth would you let strangers use your WiFi? Change the password. Assuming they are neighbours and not lodgers/your tenants then they are total CF’s and need to pay for their own WiFi.

QuestionableMouse · 12/09/2018 01:05

Is it capped?

To be honest, I'd be changing the password now as you have no idea what they're using the internet for and it's affecting the service you pay for.

Uncreative · 12/09/2018 01:06

You are nuts! Change the password immediately! You have no idea what they are downloading (but if your speed has slowed that much, it is a hell of a lot).

Blameanamechange · 12/09/2018 01:09

Don't even think about it just change it. Two weeks is plenty of time to get it sorted. They could be running all sorts from it. You owe them nothing. They are taking the mick OP. Would you do what they're doing if it was reversed?

LoveAGoodChat · 12/09/2018 01:12

Change your password, don't give it to them...if they download child abuse images, anything illegal, or anything to do with terrorism or even trolling people online then you could get in trouble as that is being done from your WiFi...stop them right now...even say something like you had your WiFi disconnected as you haven't paid the bill, then change your password and WiFi name (if you change the WiFi name then when they look.for the old.one it won't be there any longer)..let them buy their own WiFi, and if they can't afford, direct them to a library, coffee shop etc that has free wi-fi access for their devices..

inquiquotiokixul · 12/09/2018 01:13

Do not give them two weeks. Cut it off now. This moment.

Gersemi · 12/09/2018 01:21

You have to cut it off immediately for your own sake. If, for instance they were streaming something illegally or accessing illegal websites, you could have some very awkward questions to answer.

AssassinatedBeauty · 12/09/2018 01:23

Change the password at the very minimum right now, and then consider how else you can secure your Wi-fi. Then never give strangers your Wi-fi password again! That's a crazy thing to do.

DramaAlpaca · 12/09/2018 01:24

I'm with everyone else. Change the password right now. Their internet access or lack of it is not your problem.

SgtFredColon · 12/09/2018 01:24

Just change the password now! Don’t go round and explain anything. If they come back and ask you again you can say you thought they’d have been sorted by now

sleep5 · 12/09/2018 01:29

Just write on a piece of paper the details on where they can buy their internet. Then change your password - when they come around give them the paper and say "too slow, you download too much" or similar. They can always try another neighbour.

notangelinajolie · 12/09/2018 01:30

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glagdy · 12/09/2018 01:32

@notangelinajolie what's your point?

MountainPeakGeek · 12/09/2018 01:33

You really have to change it immediately. Who knows what sort of stuff they're downloading via your router? If they query it you can just say that you assumed that they only needed it for a one-off/specific purpose on their first day, but you're not happy to share your private wifi connection for any long periods. I think you're right - they probably assumed that there was wifi for the building and that was the ssid they were seeing. I'm sure they'll understand.

9amtrain · 12/09/2018 01:35

Bloody hell can't even speak English

And?

I imagine they will in time the same as if any British person moved abroad, I doubt all of them are fluent in the language upon arrival.

theworldistoosmall · 12/09/2018 01:36

You realise that if they are doing anything illegal it will be you that has to deal with everything?
Depending on how your wifi and equipment is set up they could get access to your stuff?
Just change it now.

Purpleartichoke · 12/09/2018 01:39

Change the password now. When they come back just say you thought they just needed it for a moment to get their own service ordered.

Unless you set up specific security, they also now have access to many of your devices. We run a fairly elaborate home network, so we have separate guest WiFi for this reason. The guest WiFi is still password protected, but it doesn’t connect to our personal computers or servers.

Turn it off now. Then change your banking passwords.

delphguelph · 12/09/2018 01:39

Seriously?

Original poster
Sammyham88 · 12/09/2018 01:40

Thanks for the replies, you've all nailed it on the head with my biggest fear being that they could be using it for illegal purposes.

I think it was pretty CF of them to ask but stupidly in the moment, being a bit shocked they'd asked for it, having just got out the shower, the trouble we had even communicating and not wanting our first introduction ending in me coming across rude just gave it to them Blush

Going to change the password now and if they ask why they can no longer access it try to, as simply as possible explain why I don't feel comfortable them using my wifi.

As you can probably tell, I'm a bit of a rambler so any suggestions on the best/ most simple way to explain this to them with out them also thinking I'd think they're the types who would use the internet for dodgy on goings would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 12/09/2018 01:42

"No, it's a private Wi-fi connection, you will have to pay for your own." Should do the trick. No need for detailed explanations. Just repeat it if they keep asking.

passwordfailure · 12/09/2018 01:42

My NDN and I occasionally ask to use each others WiFi but only if one of our providers has gone down. But we have been NDN for many years, have keys etc. No to strangers, they could be all over your data.

HonestReally · 12/09/2018 01:43

Just tell them that you don't have a unlimited data plan.

GreatWesternValkyrie · 12/09/2018 01:46

Good grief! Change it immediately, I don’t know why you’d do this in the first place but if you wait two more weeks they’ll have downloaded the whole of the internet!

ana18 · 12/09/2018 01:47

You know they can have access to your personal details bank password etc from WiFi please change your password immediately