Would you share your wireless network with neighbors?

[VeloVT]

The duplex I live in was recently sold. The new owners (my new landlords, who will be living in the upstairs unit) noticed that they get our wireless network signal and asked if we would be willing to share it (provide them with the password, and then they would split the cost of our cable internet).

They are a nice young couple; I trust that they have no ill intent, and further, it's my impression that they aren't necessarily terribly tech savvy.

At first, because I basically trust them, I was comfortable with this. (I don't have any moral issues with depriving the cable company of an additional account, hope you won't judge me for this!). However, as I was getting ready to share the password, I started getting cold feet. I have my laptop's firewall enabled and all sharing disabled, and all files that are sensitive on an encrypted disk image, so it should be relatively safe, but it still makes me anxious. We'd be sharing our network not only with them, but also any house guests with whom they share our password. If you accidentally clicked on a machine on a local network, and discovered you could access some files/applications/services, even if you had no ill intent, is it possible you might click around just out of curiosity? I think so... Also, what about passwords and the security of other information transmitted over the network? This is really a hypothetical concern as I am 99.999% sure they have neither the inclination nor technical skill to do anything sketchy, but still...

I have considered getting a new AirPort, as the newer models allow you to set up guest networks. The new device would have benefits to us other than just allowing us to share the network more securely - mine is quite old, probably seven years old, and while it works fine, it has fewer features and probably less range than the newer models. I'd rather not spend the money, but I am open to it - it won't break the bank.

What would you do? Especially those who are more on the computer nerdy side, would you have concerns about sharing your network in this way?

[tulip]

I don't know much about wireless networks, or if sharing a network means they have access to your computer, but I think it would depend on how well you know the people. I have a friend who does this with a neighbor, and it's fine. But they are good friends.

[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....).

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.