Would you share your wireless network with neighbors?

[Trek420]

as far as I know sharing connection will not give them access to what you are doing. Many people do this to split internet costs. Do check if you have unlimited data with your plan or they could cause you to go over your limit. You also could be responsible if they do things like large or even illegal file downloads.

[shootingstar]

Trek, makes some good cautionary points. I would only share wireless network with family or live-in room-mates. That way, if things screw up, it's just easier to confront the person and get more details to resolve problems with wireless use/account/costs.

[Pedal Wench]

I would be more worried about the amount of data being transferred. If they're trying to watch movies or do big downloads (or uploads) it will effect the speed of your whole network.

[jessmarimba]

We did this in college - four of us in adjoining apartments split one wireless connection. But we were really poor, and none of us had anything really sensitive on our computers at the time (and this was before all of the online banking and bill pay and everything really caught on). Now, I'm not sure. It would depend on the people.

[Blueberry]

I'm pretty sure this is a violation of most terms of service agreements. i.e. - if the internet provider found out, you might have an issue (cancel service, fines - depends on what their agreement says). Aside from not having moral issues, you should investigate to see if it could cause problems for you.

I would also be wary of 1) slowing down the network and 2) what if they (or their guests) accidentally do something illegal (or intentionally - but that's a whole 'nother issue).

Since they're your landlords, I feel like they've put you in sort of an odd position. I know I wouldn't do it - heck, we created a separate guest network (with less access) to use with 1) less trusted devices and 2) with guests (we love 'em but....).

[Triskeliongirl]

Unless you really need the money I wouldn't do it. In addition to all of the other points made, I would worry that if they are streaming a movie or vice versa, it will make it impossible for the other household to do anything. Also, we found that even if a router can support a lot of devices, when our kids visit, and add extra laptops, mobile phones, and tablets, we experience severe network problems. I do not think these home networks can handle the traffic of many devices. So if you want a way out or feel awkward since they are your landlords, just tell them your router is already maxed out and cannot handle any additional devices.

[Koronin]

No, for several reasons, the banking/monetary transactions being one good one. Another is that some types of computer viruses/trojans actually can get into one computer and get transferred through a network to other computers. Unfortunately I got one of those on my computer. Thankfully we caught it as soon as it showed up and my husband was able to get rid of it, but if it was one that could have not only effected other devices hooked up to the network, but the router and modem as well.
Also if they download large files it will slow your connection down.

[Trek420]

Cable is a shared bandwidth so speed can be effected not just by a neighbor but the whole neighborhood. I'd be more concerned about things like downloading music, movies in violation of copyright. It's your account! So if you know they and their friends have good ethics go ahead! As a former telecommunications employee I want people to save money. But I've also seen the bills when people go over limits and "what do you mean I'm disconected for violating terms of service" so check the terms of your service and if not unlimited get it in writing that they reimburse.

[pll]

I would not. Perhaps in my time as a grad student I would have considered, but not now. Bandwidth is one issue, downloading and streaming on an account that is on my name is another. Once the password is out, you cannot tell if they are sharing, too.

[VeloVT]

I'm not too worried about bandwidth/speed. I don't think they are heavy internet users. I also feel that if they were streaming movies or doing something else that brought the network to a standstill, we could discuss that and establish ground rules. They are reasonable people.

I am also not at all worried about illegal activity - in that regard I definitely trust them. I think it would just be an ipad and a few iphones that we'd be potentially adding to the network. It's really the general, in-principal security concerns that I'm worried about. I think the malware point is a good one, although I think they have all Apple devices which lessens that concern somewhat (don't know about their friends of course).

[2wheelr]

No. The dummy across the street, I can't trust him as far as I can throw him. My next door neighbors are too far away, and they can definitely afford their own wireless.

[lovelygamer]

No, I would never recommend this. The nicest people you know may not be so nice on the internet. They could have any number of habits (porn, terrorism, abuse, media stealers (torrents, p2p), illegal fetishes) and etc. Or, they could be gamers and suck all of your bandwidth up. Any of that is bad news for you.

You would be amazed. I used to be in IT and I was constantly amazed at how different people are in their online life than they are in real life.

[VeloVT]

No, I would never recommend this. The nicest people you know may not be so nice on the internet. They could have any number of habits (porn, terrorism, abuse, media stealers (torrents, p2p), illegal fetishes) and etc. Or, they could be gamers and suck all of your bandwidth up. Any of that is bad news for you.

You would be amazed. I used to be in IT and I was constantly amazed at how different people are in their online life than they are in real life.

They're do-gooders (and I mean that in a completely good, non-snarky way). Kind of crunchy, outdoorsy, both social workers, drive a Prius, have a toddler, participate in touchy-feely community events. They are good peeps. I would be utterly shocked if they had any truly evil skeletons in the closet.

But, your point is well taken.

[Blueberry]

I'm not too worried about bandwidth/speed. I don't think they are heavy internet users. I also feel that if they were streaming movies or doing something else that brought the network to a standstill, we could discuss that and establish ground rules. They are reasonable people.

I am also not at all worried about illegal activity - in that regard I definitely trust them. I think it would just be an ipad and a few iphones that we'd be potentially adding to the network. It's really the general, in-principal security concerns that I'm worried about. I think the malware point is a good one, although I think they have all Apple devices which lessens that concern somewhat (don't know about their friends of course).

Well...it sort of sounds like you've decided.

I do question whether the reasonable people thing applies when there is a power imbalance - and there definitely is in a rental relationship.

[VeloVT]

Well...it sort of sounds like you've decided.

I do question whether the reasonable people thing applies when there is a power imbalance - and there definitely is in a rental relationship.

I really haven't. Strangely, the rational, analytical part of my brain is telling me it should be fine (because they are trustworthy and the likelihood of issues of any kind is very small), and I would say it's the other part the says to think about it more. Seems like it should be the other way around, right? And it's not because I have reservations about them, per se, it really isn't, it's more that it's opening our closed network, and once you open it, it's no longer closed.

And, fwiw, my main motivation is really relationship-building and neighborliness; while savings is always nice, it's not the main reason I'm considering it (though I think savings, and also less hassle, is why they asked).