Would you share your wireless network with neighbors?

[VeloVT]

Thanks, Smilingcat, I was hoping you would reply.

To be clear, our wireless network is currently at least superficially secure - wireless network is set up with WPA2 security with 18 character password including multiple cases, numbers and characters. And, as mentioned, firewalls are enabled and sharing is disabled, and each of our computers is set up with an admin password - my "everyday" account is actually separate from my administrator account, and my "keychain" (apple user) has a separate password from my login password. And, as mentioned, sensitive docs are stored on an encrypted volume. But, I'm not a computer or security expert and I could certainly have left some door open, even before you let open the network.

Do you feel more comfortable about sharing a network using a router that makes it possible to establish guest networks?

[Biciclista]

we allow our guests to use our internet. we have had a lot of guests lately. I would probably be comfortable sharing with SOME neighbors. You can be the judge of your own neighbors (I have some i'd trust, and others I wouldn't!!)

[Atlas]

We do this with out landlord in a somewhat reverse situation. He has the router and we are on his network. We bounce it through our time machine to extend the range but I understand we are all on the same account. It's great and having the included internet brought our duplex into our price range when we initially moved in. I guess it comes down to how well you will know your neighbors. We've known ours for a few years so we didn't think anything of it. If you're going to constantly worry about it then decline from sharing so you don't have that added stress.

[Koronin]

The only place that I've seen open networks to be common is in beach rental communities. Basically these are areas along the coast with tons of homes that are rented out on a weekly basis for vacation rentals and many of those homes do have open wireless networks. If I owned a vacation rental house I'd actually do it as a wired only service. Go ahead and bring your laptop, but you're going to have to hook it up wired to the connection. That way the guest can use it, but it's not out there for everyone. We've rented homes that had both and it make any difference to use which the house has as long as it has internet service of some sort.

[bmccasland]

As indicated in the header, I'm in the No category.

I've known a very nice family man, who was arrested by the IT squad of my local police department (when I lived in another state) for internet child pornography. Was quite a surprise to see his mug shot in the local paper.

And as others have indicated, you won't know who they might give the password out to.

If you want to get to know your neighbors, invite them over for a BBQ.

[Tri Girl]

I definitely say NO!
You don't know people- even when you think they do.
A family member of mine was arrested and sent to federal prison last year because he had been downloading child porn to his computer for over 10 years. He has a wife and kid and worked at a very well-respected college, did charitable work, was very granola-y, was a community helper, and was highly regarded.
You just never know people.
Everything computer related in his house was confiscated by the FBI.
His wife had no clue (encrypted files and such).

Aside from all the security issues, things like this ^ are worrisome. People have totally different internet lives sometimes. What happens on YOUR network is YOUR responsibility- even if it wasn't you doing it.

Plus, if you ever move, they will have to get their own service anyway, so they might as well just do it now.

[GLC1968]

No, we would not. My husband is in network security and I can tell you with all confidence that the answer would be no.

If they are not really tech savy - they could be the biggest problem. Honestly, when my husband set up my parents network, he did it so that no matter what my mom clicked on, nothing could get to their main computer where all the financial stuff was located. I love my mom to death and would trust her with my life (and to not be a terrorist) but when it comes to not clicking on dangerous things in emails or whatever....she's hopeless. Your landlords could be similar.

And malware is being written for Apple products, so don't get too comfortable with the idea that they are safe, as they won't be forever.