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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask neighbour if I can use his wifi?

326 replies

Foliageeverywhere122 · 21/11/2020 17:36

Just moved into a new flat by myself.

The earliest I can get wifi is not until next Fri (and even that's with lots of pestering to sky..) .

Would I be a total CF to ask neighbour if it would be possible to use his wifi until then? I would be really happy to pay however much he thought was reasonable and thought I could give him my number so that if it turns out 2 people on it means it's too slow for him I would stop using it!

I honestly think I will go mad if I have to sit in silence for a week. I've been alone since march and (sad as it seems) I've really found having podcasts/netflix playing in the background makes me feel less lonely and anxious. I've had already had to pay for 8GB data but need to keep that for work - it should be just enough for next week with a couple of video calls but def not for anything else! No TV so I can't drown out the silence that way...

OP posts:
SentientAndCognisant · 22/11/2020 00:12

CF =cheeky Fucker

Lalliella · 22/11/2020 00:13

@Alexadomyhair

What does CF mean...? Hmm

I don’t think you should ask to use the internet, even if you offer to pay.

It puts the neighbour in an awkward position.
We’ve had new neighbours move in next door. I wouldn’t want them using our wifi but I would feel really uncomfortable telling them no.

For the sake of a week just buy some extra data on your mobile phone.

CF = cheeky fucker. Aka OP!
CoronaIsShit · 22/11/2020 00:15

I wouldn’t have a problem with this as the OP is in a bind and we’ve been in this position when moving house. The neighbour can just change the password when the times up. I‘d only be concerned if they were potentially downloading dodgy stuff which could be linked to me but I have sky and it has a broadband shield so I’d set it to the highest level!

TheDowagerDuchess · 22/11/2020 00:19

I don’t think they should say yes even if you ask, and therefore you shouldn’t ask.

Although you (presumably!) know you aren’t going to do anything illegal on the Internet, they don’t know that, they’ve never met you. If you did for instance download something illegal through their route they would be blamed and the use of their router seen as evidence.

No one should be using a neighbour’s WiFi .

EmeraldShamrock · 22/11/2020 00:22

I wouldn't mind if it was for a short time.

SentientAndCognisant · 22/11/2020 00:26

@Foliageeverywhere122
I’m surprised at your inability to source other solutions eg dongle,change to your existing phone contract to get a hotspot

Smallgoon · 22/11/2020 00:30

I was in the same boat a few months ago. I didn't ask but turns out my neighbours themselves were new and were having to wait longer than I would have been. When I did eventually get my wifi set up, I told them they were welcome to use it as I'm really not too fussed about these things.

I don't think you're being unreasonable for asking, and I personally would allow you to use mine once you explained your predicament.

Smallgoon · 22/11/2020 00:33

*Oh and I wouldn't charge for it either but that's just me. I think the world is a better place when we're kinder to one another, and sharing wifi is really not a big deal.

Smallgoon · 22/11/2020 00:35

@malmi

Some people really do assume the worst of their neighbours don't they? I'm surprised you open the door to them. What if they shoot you?
hahahahahah! Brilliant. You've gotta laugh at the cyber crime police that are out in force in this thread.
SentientAndCognisant · 22/11/2020 00:36

It is a big deal, it potentially compromises them or you
If either one of you accessed inappropriate content it’s a shared IP address

Smallgoon · 22/11/2020 00:56

@SentientAndCognisant

It is a big deal, it potentially compromises them or you If either one of you accessed inappropriate content it’s a shared IP address
Bet you're fun at parties.
Smallgoon · 22/11/2020 00:59

I should also point out that my neighbours (who I've known for all of 3 months) have a spare key to my flat, and I have theirs. Guess I'd better ask for it back, seeing as there's always the slight risk they'll murder me in my sleep... Hmm

ReneeRol · 22/11/2020 01:01

Smallgoon; please explain how allowing strangers to access your WiFi makes you "fun" at parties?

Or how not wanting to risk child abuse images being downloaded from your router makes you "not fun".

caringcarer · 22/11/2020 01:32

I would do this for a neighbour and not accept payment either. I have unlimited data and fibre-optic cables do fast. Just ask. Some people are nice and helpful.

caringcarer · 22/11/2020 01:41

My Mum used to.let the lady next door to.her and her 7 year old use her WiFi indefinitely. She used to feed my Mum's cat when she was on holiday. It's called being s good neighbour.

SentientAndCognisant · 22/11/2020 01:48

Am I Fun at parties? Yes sir! I can boogie. You'll get fed,watered. You’ll not get my WiFi password

Mintyt · 22/11/2020 02:30

Can you remember a thread on here whereby the IP address was used by the neighbour who has downloaded illegal stuff and the husband was arrested until they found out it was the neighbour, until that thread I had shared my password, but not any more - but I have shared my nexflik and sky go

SentientAndCognisant · 22/11/2020 02:39

Let’s face it no one is likely to divulge,dodgy activity that’d show up or be queried

SunscreenCentral · 22/11/2020 02:47

It’s the new cup of sugar

SentientAndCognisant · 22/11/2020 02:49

It’s the new Pollyanna I’m so neighbourly,nice,and by all means have my password

YenneferOfBattenberg · 22/11/2020 04:04

You just buy a DAB radio surely? They're good company as a temporary solution.

I personally would feel uncomfortable asking a stranger for their WiFi, and so I wouldn't do it and would find (one of the many) alternatives.

PolkadotGiraffe · 22/11/2020 04:04

Can't you just use the data on your phone or get a dongle for your laptop if needed?

NewPapaGuinea · 22/11/2020 07:31

@Leaannb

“Once again being kind does not include putting yourself at risk. If I find out ANY of my WFH staff sharing their WiFi password they would be immediately terminated and probably prosecuted.”

Does your company pay for your staff’s internet?
Are family members/guests permitted to use their internet?
On what grounds would they be dismissed and prosecuted?

Sounds like BS to me. If your company was that concerned about security you’d pay for a second dedicated line for company use and not use wifi.

Womencanlift · 22/11/2020 08:04

@caringcarer

My Mum used to.let the lady next door to.her and her 7 year old use her WiFi indefinitely. She used to feed my Mum's cat when she was on holiday. It's called being s good neighbour.
It’s nothing to do with being nice and a good neighbour it’s about being security conscious. It is very likely your mum knew your neighbour beforehand and felt comfortable to do that. Still not the best idea but better than the OP who has no relationship with the neighbour at all. The neighbour has no idea how trustworthy the OP is.
Bxjd · 22/11/2020 11:35

[quote Foliageeverywhere122]@BettysSpaghetti

Even if I offered to pay say, £30? And said I totally understand if it's not possible![/quote]
We moved into our new home and had to wait for WiFi for 10 days, we get on with the lady next door, but no way would I ask for the WiFi password, its really cheeky! I just used mobile data, we didn't even watch telly 😑

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