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[SKINNER!]

You are overthinking it, most people don't join the college to download illegal material using their neighbors' wifi. He just probably wants to connect with friends in the empty flat, or maybe just doesn't want to eat alone without entertainment. It sucks to be offline at home from 8 pm.

Stranger walks up to your house and asks to borrow your car. Forget that he could crash it, destroy it, use it in a crime, run people over with it, never bring it back. Naaaaah, He probably needs it because he's bored after 8pm and just needs entertainment. Sure buddy! Here's the keys.

Wow, talk about being naive.

 

[Neverforget]

Is an American thing? I have never heard of it in Europe.

If it ever happened to me, the answer will be no obviously, what if that person goes into illegal websites and such? Also why would I give away something I pay for to random strangers?

If the dude is a college student, he can use the university WiFi or work and get money to have his own, use his phone hot-spot, ask his friends or family. It's not your problem OP.

 

[Acorn]

We have a new neighbor that moved in yesterday. I've seen him a couple of times, but he never introduced himself or said hello. Today, my fiance and I came home, shut the door and began to close the blinds. At this point someone was banging at the door. It was our new neighbor and he asked how we're doing and then asked if he can use our wifi because he is a college student and his isn't connected yet. During this exchange, he did not introduce himself, shake a hand or anything. I flat out told him no. I thought it was incredibly rude.

GAF, has anyone asked to use your wifi and would of you given your password to a person that cannot even say his name to you?

Thought this was gonna be about friends not strangers. Perfectly within your rights man.

 

[Persona7]

Lol no. I don't even want people I trust on my wifi. Like my aunt who installed malware and it got onto my laptop. Luckily it wasn't able to spread to the wired network.

 

[SKINNER!]

If the dude is a college student, he can use the university WiFi or work and get money to have his own, use his phone hot-spot, ask his friends or family. It's not your problem OP.

100% this. Look, even if he didn't have the ability to go to campus or any starbucks or whatever and he DESPERATELY needed internet access to - say - submit his work or check his test results (i.e. necessary things) then at least have the decency to formally introduce yourself and explain your dire situation. Show how you really need to use it and be grateful. Be a person for fuck sake. Use the person's internet connection to check yours things and be done. Thank them. That's fine. Just casually walking about to your neighbour to ask for the wifi password with no introduction or any reasonable justification? You wanna use my internet on a saturday night because you're bored? Fuck outta here man. I'm not your dad.

 

[Evolution of Metal]

Stranger walks up to your house and asks to borrow your car. Forget that he could crash it, destroy it, use it in a crime, run people over with it, never bring it back. Naaaaah, He probably needs it because he's bored after 8pm and just needs entertainment. Sure buddy! Here's the keys.

Wow, talk about being naive.

You are paranoid.

Jesus Christ, it is like a movie Disturbia but instead of suspecting the murdered you suspect a hacker. I wouldn't imagine you operating a McDonalds Wifi router, you would go crazy imagining all those people doing illegal activities.

If the dude is a college student, he can use the university WiFi or work and get money to have his own, use his phone hot-spot, ask his friends or family. It's not your problem OP.

It is in the OP, he asked for the internet until his own connection is installed.

 

[ChryZ]

Setup a "guest" SSID, limit to web traffic and cap at 64kbps. When the freeloader complains about your shitty wifi say you are on dial up.

 

[Fafnir]

If you really need to give a neighbor access to your wifi, make a guest network and tell them you will input the password on their device so they won't have the password. Then turn off the guest network after a set period of time.

 

[Previous]

I would never give my wifi password out to anyone I don't know.

 

[ibrahima]

A few years ago I'd say it's no big deal to let someone use it for a bit, even a whole while and just get them to share it. But nowadays there is so much weird stuff that someone could end up doing, let alone the fact that a lot of devices treat other devices on local wifi as trusted for local file sharing and video streaming.

 

[SKINNER!]

You are paranoid.

Jesus Christ, it is like a movie Disturbia but instead of suspecting the murdered you suspect a hacker. I wouldn't imagine you operating a McDonalds Wifi router, you would go crazy imagining all those people doing illegal activities.

It clearly shows you don't work in IT nor have any basic understanding of cyber security.

Also, McDonald's Wifi would be setup with the mindset that it'll be used by the public. I'd be surprised if yours was too. Of course they'd have filters and blocks ensuring no illegal activity will take place. And even if it did, they'd take future precautions to prevent it from happening. Perhaps there's a country-wide IT team that maintains and monitors the network. Who knows! I'd hope so given how big McDonalds are. If I operated their network then I'd have those precautions in place just in case...you never know.

Do you have those precautions in place for your personal home wifi router? Or perhaps you hired a Network team to monitor your private connection ensuring that no illegal activity or dodgy websites are accessed on your network? I guess you do given how you seem to have no issues with dishing out your internet connection to whoever.

 

[daxy]

Yeah, I got some new neighbors and gave them access when they asked (they were waiting to get connected). RIP internet speed. No idea what they were doing but it was hogging all damn bandwidth. After about a month of taking that L I changed security settings to only allow trusted MAC addresses. Never again. When I moved in, I just sucked it up and tethered my laptop to my phone. Easy enough.

 

[Hypron]

I have mac address filtering on which makes it a real hassle to let people use my wifi. So I don't do it often, and I would certainly never let my neighbours use my wifi.

 

[dreamcastmaster]

You are paranoid.

Jesus Christ, it is like a movie Disturbia but instead of suspecting the murdered you suspect a hacker. I wouldn't imagine you operating a McDonalds Wifi router, you would go crazy imagining all those people doing illegal activities.

It is in the OP, he asked for the internet until his own connection is installed.

Do you have your own wfi that you pay for and are responsible for? Do you share it with any of your neighbours?

 

[soqquatto]

I've had my new neighbor asking my wifi password just yesterday.

I've briefly met him once, I've never met his two flatmates, I'm legally responsible for whatever happens with my internet connections, I use up a lot of bandwidth being connected all day during working hours and playing/netflix in the evening and I don't know who he is going to share the password with.

I said 'no' and I still feel bad about this because I like being likable. He shouldn't even have asked for it.

 

[Neverforget]

It is in the OP, he asked for the internet until his own connection is installed.

And? It's yet another reason not to bother your neighbor and get yourself sorted out. When I didn't have WiFi and my 3G wasn't great, I used my university's, went to McDonald's.. Etc. Until I got my WiFi, I didn't go to my neighbors since there are solutions out there that don't involve me relying on people kindness.

It's great that you have such an amazing outlook in life, that you are happy to trust people not to use the service you're responsible for to partake in illegal activities. And are OK with them being too lazy or not caring enough to use the free public tools provided everywhere.

Not everyone is like you though and I am sure as heck not naive enough to do so.

 

[.....]

I would of just slipped them a fake password to mess with them.

 

[thenexus6]

"Hey sorry, i've got a limit on my connection" is the nicest way to answer that question.

 

[Frankfurter]

Setup a "guest" SSID, limit to web traffic and cap at 64kbps. When the freeloader complains about your shitty wifi say you are on dial up.

Welp, this is actually genius.

 

[Maintenance]

Fuck em, I'm only sharing with my family and close friends. Random ass neighbor that I never met? Hell no.

 

[Gravy Boat]

Stranger walks up to your house and asks to borrow your car. Forget that he could crash it, destroy it, use it in a crime, run people over with it, never bring it back. Naaaaah, He probably needs it because he's bored after 8pm and just needs entertainment. Sure buddy! Here's the keys.

Wow, talk about being naive.

This isn't even remotely the same, at all.

A lot of GAF always seems really paranoid when it comes to helping other people. They always seem to assume the absolute worst out of everyone. I can't imagine going through like like that.

 

[Syder]

I'd never give my WiFi password away to a stranger.

Visiting friends/family can get it but that's about it.

 

[Fuchsdh]

Stranger walks up to your house and asks to borrow your car. Forget that he could crash it, destroy it, use it in a crime, run people over with it, never bring it back. Naaaaah, He probably needs it because he's bored after 8pm and just needs entertainment. Sure buddy! Here's the keys.

Wow, talk about being naive.

...except it's Wifi, not a car, and given no one does next to anything about illegal file sharing at this point unless it's the just-released big movie or whatever, there's basically no risk.

The guy was an ass who didn't actually attempt to introduce himself and basically just hit them up for their internet, which is bad form and I see no reason to acquiesce to his request. But acting like your Wifi is some sacred and immutable thing is weird. If you need to you can always change it, anyhow.

(Especially if you've got a router that's probably already broadcasting your network for subscribers, like Optimum or Comcast.)

I've had my new neighbor asking my wifi password just yesterday.

I've briefly met him once, I've never met his two flatmates, I'm legally responsible for whatever happens with my internet connections, I use up a lot of bandwidth being connected all day during working hours and playing/netflix in the evening and I don't know who he is going to share the password with.

I said 'no' and I still feel bad about this because I like being likable. He shouldn't even have asked for it.

Why would you feel bad? You've got no obligation. Trying to feel like the "good guy" is almost always a recipe for disaster.

 

[Diprosalic]

Guest network is ok but people are lazy and don't change it regularly. I'd like the option for a router to issue randomly generated time-limited guest passwords that'll auto expire after 1 day or 1 week etc

I have that
Well almost, timed guest networks.

 

[xrnzaaas]

This isn't even remotely the same, at all.

A lot of GAF always seems really paranoid when it comes to helping other people. They always seem to assume the absolute worst out of everyone. I can't imagine going through like like that.

Depends on your point of view. Imo sharing your wifi isn't a simple act of kindness that you don't have to think twice about. If that person does anything illegal on the Internet it'll be your ass on the line. And depending on the country where you're from being fined for stuff like downloading pirated movies isn't that uncommon.

 

[NealMcCauley]

I did once with a guy who sold me bud. He lived two floors below me and was never able to connect though. Felt like I dodged a bullet on that one.

 

[Maddness]

First it's your WiFi password. Then it's your fiance. Don't tempt fate OP. You saved your future.

 

[Diprosalic]

This isn't even remotely the same, at all.

A lot of GAF always seems really paranoid when it comes to helping other people. They always seem to assume the absolute worst out of everyone. I can't imagine going through like like that.

Very true.

 

[soqquatto]

Why would you feel bad? You've got no obligation. Trying to feel like the "good guy" is almost always a recipe for disaster.

I know...! Still, I can't help it.

 

[Heavy Iron Industries]

Setup a fake access point just for him
Fuck with him.

 

[Rootbeer]

It's definitely a no now that my ISP gave me a bandwidth cap that I come pretty close to every month. Sorry, new neighbors.

If you're moving... you plan to get the internet turned on ASAP. A lot of people have it installed and turned on before they even move in. Please try to plan ahead.

 

[BGBW]

I just say "Sorry, I have no spare Wifi" and keep walking.

 

[Winters_Solace]

I had a girl come to my flat and ask "is this your Internet?" waving her phone in my face. I just said nah.

My grandfathers neighbor got played, probably thought its just a wee old man but he doesn't give a fuck about Internet. It was for all my cousins and their mates, they chill in there using the guys Internet. So yeah I wouldn't give mine out to anyone.

 

[RoninChaos]

Sharing resources, just because it is not essential for life, doesn't mean that you shouldn't let other your new neighbor use it, students obviously need the internet. It is probably the least expensive and troubling resource to share, but not when YOU have to share yours.

And it is according to some orgs: http://gizmodo.com/internet-access-is-now-a-basic-human-right-1783081865

And after all, even if you don't subscribe to the idea of sharing resources at no cost, cutting off the neighbors is going to create a negative environment where people are going to be less mindful of others when it comes to information, loud music, parking, smoking, leaving trash etc.

My internet bill is more than my electricity or gas or water. If I share it and that guy downloads something he shouldn't, the ISP comes after me. Not risking it.

 

[BeforeU]

neighbor? No. This isnt normal lol

Family and friends very understandable

 

[Evolution of Metal]

Do you have your own wfi that you pay for and are responsible for? Do you share it with any of your neighbours?

Yes, I am responsible for the network and kind of the shared bill with other people living in the house.
No, I haven't received a request for my Wifi password from the neighbor, but I have allowed my neighbor to use my PC to check the Internet while his either PC or connected was unavailable.
But if it a theoretical question, sharing Wifi for a few weeks is not a problem for me, I have no caps and my router's Wifi speed is capped at half the connection, so even if they pump illegal porn 24/7, it wouldn't affect me. However, most people just want to check their emails, social media, read news, watch videos, porn and play games because that is the real world.

If you have caps or other limitations on your connection, you should justify the choice instead of saying NO without additional comments, that will surely sour any kind of positive neighbor experience for anyone.

 

[Murkas]

You did good OP.

The nerve of some people...

 

[HStallion]

I would have given them the current password then changed it the moment after they left. When they return to tell me it doesn't work I'd give them the new password which would be slightly different and say I made a mistake. Then I'd change it again. Repeat until they stop coming over.

 

[strafer]

I ask them to do a simple test first.

Sign up for NeoGAF and get accepted.

 

[close to the edge]

If he is half competent then he'll be able to get on your wifi anyway

Uhh, no? Assuming he's not using WEP (which I don't think you can even use on newer routers), he should be pretty safe. I guess you can try to bruteforce the password if it's a short one.

 

[Charles Brandon]

I ask them to do a simple test first.

Sign up for NeoGAF and get accepted.

You're a cruel, cruel man (or woman)

 

[texhnolyze]

Setup a "guest" SSID, limit to web traffic and cap at 64kbps. When the freeloader complains about your shitty wifi say you are on dial up.

Welp, this is actually genius.

While having a PS4 and PC attached to my TV?

The guest must be really stupid.

 

[Gravy Boat]

I would have given them the current password then changed it the moment after they left. When they return to tell me it doesn't work I'd give them the new password which would be slightly different and say I made a mistake. Then I'd change it again. Repeat until they stop coming over.

This seems like a lot of work on your part when you could just give them fake passwords from the beginning.

 

[Frankfurter]

While having a PS4 and PC attached to my TV?

The guest must be really stupid.

Tell him you just finished downloading Titanfall 1 after a couple of years.

 

[JORMBO]

I would never give out my password to a stranger. My name is on the account and they could do something illegal.

 

[HStallion]

This seems like a lot of work on your part when you could just give them fake passwords from the beginning.

I mean its not much work at all. It takes me like 30 seconds at most to change the password.

 

[FSLink]

You are paranoid.

Jesus Christ, it is like a movie Disturbia but instead of suspecting the murdered you suspect a hacker. I wouldn't imagine you operating a McDonalds Wifi router, you would go crazy imagining all those people doing illegal activities.



It is in the OP, he asked for the internet until his own connection is installed.

Oh my god. You are terribly naive. It's one thing if you have a Guest Hotspot that's isolated from other devices (Like how McDonalds does it, so your example is terrible) that has proper ACLs and bandwidth caps in place....but to just let them roam free for a few weeks at a time? Nah.

If he's on the same network he could easily run some scripts to mess with other devices on your network. It's not paranoia because this shit is braindead easy to do. You would also have no idea it's happening unless you actually run network scans on your network...
And many college kids do pirate, I'm not going to get a warning letter or fine because of kindness. If he wants to come by and check his e-mail I'd let him but I wouldn't just straight up give him the password.

 

[Gravy Boat]

I mean its not much work at all. It takes me like 30 seconds at most to change the password.

Takes even less to keep it as is and just give them a fake password.

 

[shoelacer]

First it's your WiFi password. Then it's your fiance. Don't tempt fate OP. You saved your future.

For real, man. You give em an inch, they take a future wife. No slack for these jabronis.

Also, I don't think I'd have this problem. I recently setup a new router while I was way too high and I wound up setting the password to "fUcK tHa InTeRnEt 69" which has been supremely annoying to anyone trying to get on wifi using a mobile device, but also cuz I can never remember if it starts with upper or lowercase

 

[dreamcastmaster]

Yes, I am responsible for the network and kind of the shared bill with other people living in the house.
No, I haven't received a request for my Wifi password from the neighbor, but I have allowed my neighbor to use my PC to check the Internet while his either PC or connected was unavailable.
But if it a theoretical question, sharing Wifi for a few weeks is not a problem for me, I have no caps and my router's Wifi speed is capped at half the connection, so even if they pump illegal porn 24/7, it wouldn't affect me. However, most people just want to check their emails, social media, read news, watch videos, porn and play games because that is the real world.

If you have caps or other limitations on your connection, you should justify the choice instead of saying NO without additional comments, that will surely sour any kind of positive neighbor experience for anyone.

Right so shared internet in a multi occupancy house. So not even the same situation that you are going on a moral crusade against other people who are solely responsible for thier network. But here you are telling other people what they should allow on thier network just becuse you would hypothetically agree to it. You can't cite the real world and then ignore the real world consequences of somebody using a connection you own for illegal things.

I said no to my neighbour, we still get on fine.