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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:
LoveAGoodChat · 12/09/2018 01:47

Just say I let you use it for two weeks to give you time to set up your own,..say something like mine is running slow, or its capped and most of my monthly allowance is used up more than usual, and I need the remaining amount for kids homework/school etc...

If you feel nervous saying it to them just hand them a page with places with free wi-fi locations..and say you can use these locations for free wi-fi while you set up your own WiFi..

Reiterate to them that you never allow neighbours to use wi-fi, say you did it as a one off as they were new and you only did it for long enough for them to set up their own WiFi...

But change your password right now...can you imagine how much of a CF someone has to be to move to a new place and on first day start using their neighbours WiFi (which you pay the bill for, I bet they haven't offered you a penny)

Original poster
Sammyham88 · 12/09/2018 01:49

Seriously.

Hands up I've been a complete idiot, as I've explained it caught me off guard and had a momentary lack in common sense.

[bold]Purpleartichoke[bold] cheers for the suggestion in how to respond and hadn't even thought about other devices/ banking etc so will get on that also.

OP posts:
ana18 · 12/09/2018 01:51

You really don't need to explain anything

It's yours not there's you were very nice in the first place don't feel guilty

Please change WiFi password and I would change banking password etc for online banking you can never be too careful

ilovesooty · 12/09/2018 01:52

@notangelinajolie how many languages do you speak fluently?

To the OP change your password straight away. I don't know why anyone would lend their wifi password to anyone else.

GreatWesternValkyrie · 12/09/2018 02:02

as simply as possible explain why I don't feel comfortable them using my wifi

Really, don’t get into unnecessary explanations about possible illegal activities or whatever else you’re uncomfortable about! Keep it simple, just tell them it’s a private service that you pay for yourself, not a building wide service.

Original poster
Sammyham88 · 12/09/2018 02:04

LoveAGoodChat Only gave it to them yesterday but thanks for the other ways in responding to them not being able to access my connection with out me coming across as not trusting them incase they did do something illegal.

Was trying to be a trusting, good neighbour but clearly as I've been told multiple times now a bit of an idiot Grin

Not appreciating the comments on their lack of English, why does that matter? I only brought it up as it caused a bit of a barrier in communicating, they're students and think it's pretty brave of them to have come so far to study in country where the language isn't their primary.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sammyham88 · 12/09/2018 02:06

Thanks ana18 and GreatWestern will keep it short and sweet like you've suggested

OP posts:
LoveAGoodChat · 12/09/2018 02:23

Op don't beat yourself up about it, you sound like a nice person and you were put on the spot and felt like you couldn't say no,

Just disconnect their access to the WiFi, and if they come to ask about it, say you let them use it on the day they moved in to be neighbourly incase they had emails and stuff to attend to, say it was only ever a one day thing and if they can't afford WiFi subscription tell them to go to Argos to get a WiFi hotspot

LoveAGoodChat · 12/09/2018 02:26

www.argos.co.uk/browse/technology/laptops-and-pcs/mobile-broadband/c:30050/

The is the WiFi hotspot op, they top it up like you would a mobile phone and then switch it on and they have WiFi, and because it's portable, they can take it with them and have WiFi where ever they go...and because it's pay as you go top up kind of thing, there is no bills or subscription

TwoBlueShoes · 12/09/2018 02:34

If they’re students then they have access to a lot of information to sort this out themselves. It’s not your problem to solve. If they ask about it, just says it’s private wifi they need to get their own.

dragonflyflew · 12/09/2018 02:46

Guarunteed they believe it's a shared household connection, especially if they're students
Either change the password and say nothing or if feeling like you have time and energy, show them how to get their own WiFi or redirect them to the landlord.

Original poster
Sammyham88 · 12/09/2018 03:06

dragonflyflew agree, live in a large house which has been split in to apartments with a mixture of young professionals, families and students, did immediately worry about the implications of what they could do on my wifi but having calmed down a bit think it is probably them using it for gaming (when chatting to them noticed they had quite a large games/ computer set up with multiple games scattered about) or for skyping friends/ family when I got a brief glimpse of their flat.

Have written a short note about how the wifi isn't shared and how they can get themselves connected whilst also inviting them round for a cuppa so we can keep on good terms (although, another AIBU, don't really want them to take me up on the offer of a brew as always tired after work and cba entertaining when I'd rather be relaxing Grin)

OP posts:
9amtrain · 12/09/2018 03:20

@ana18 I've never heard of people being able to find out your bank details just because they're logged into the same WiFi network, can you elaborate? How would people in houseshares deal with that?

Surely the information is encrypted and if there was a way to access the information it would be directly from the PC you use, not the WiFi?

I could be wrong, but I don't really know now!

Coyoacan · 12/09/2018 03:44

9amtrain I haven't a clue how it is done, but it has been common knowledge for years.

9amtrain · 12/09/2018 03:51

It's news to me, and I'm studying IT [santa] perhaps I should rethink my career options.

glitterfarts · 12/09/2018 04:06

Seriously? If you don't want them to come over for a cup of tea, DON'T invite them.
You can be neighborly without being a complete pushover.
Why would you invite strangers to your house?
Re-write your note with no waffle, just to the point and for goodness sakes don't invite them in.

theworldistoosmall · 12/09/2018 04:10

Of course, you can. There's lots of software out there that can be installed remotely. Keyloggers, for example, depending on the program used not only log all your strokes, but also emails screenshots to whoever has installed it.

Even without installing something remotely, there are other ways to access information from another device. Most people don't bother to check to see how their own laptop shares their information. So when on the same network, they are vulnerable. Plus lots of people actually write passwords etc down in notes or similar. Or they use the save password option when logging in, and even the same password for many different sites.

Shared wifi in public places is also an issue, something that many people forget and happily use Starbucks wifi to log into email and online banking. The person sitting next to them is innocently using their phone, however, that person isn't innocent and has a few pieces of software installed that will grab your info.

Put it this way. If nothing could be taken from your network then why are you encouraged to put a password on?

DBN1 · 12/09/2018 04:11

Just change the password then rewrite the note saying that it's your personal WiFi and it's capped, you've (they've) exceeded your limit now, that's why they can't access it.
If you really want to help them then by all means tell them how to get their own service. I wouldn't though. And don't ask them to pop in for a cuppa if you don't want them to.

DBN1 · 12/09/2018 04:12

Oh, and the idea of them being able to get into your private banking etc....tosh!

ivykaty44 · 12/09/2018 04:20

No need to write note

They used the WiFi and they abused it
If they call just tell them they used to much WiFi and now your all blocked

Look pissed off

And tell them they broke it so no more WiFi

Bye bye

Stormzyandme · 12/09/2018 04:23

And dont answer the door with sopping wet hair again! Ignore it & relax Grin

SilverBirchTree · 12/09/2018 04:23

They probably think it's the building wifi. It is a bit awkward. I'd change the password and not say anything Blush hopefully they don't come back.

If they do come back I'd say 'Everyone in the building has their own internet. No more passwords, sorry.' And because of the language issue I would write down the details of one or two internet providers for them.

SofiaAmes · 12/09/2018 04:30

9amtrain I do think it's time for a career rethink. Network Access Control (NAC) is far easier if you already have the password to the Network. It's now one layer less to hack.

It's very likely that they thought it was communal wifi. This may be common in many apartment buildings in some countries. It sounds like the OP dealt with it very reasonably. I hope the OP comes back to tell us how they reacted.

FishesThatFly · 12/09/2018 04:30

OP - you're coming across as a bit dippy! If you don't want them to come round for tea, then why mention it. My neighbours have never come round and we are all perfectly fine with each other Confused

TwoBlueShoes · 12/09/2018 04:41

You sound like a people pleaser, OP.

I know you probably just think you are being friendly and nice, but maybe have a think about boundaries and offering more than you are wiling to give. Don't invite them round for a cuppa. 🤦‍♀️

I agree with 9amtrain. People can't steal your bank details just because you've given them your wifi password.