Rethinking Wi-Fi Access: A Cautionary Tale
Recently, I made a decision that, in hindsight, might not have been the wisest. I allowed a neighbor’s teenager to access our Wi-Fi, but now I’m starting to feel uneasy about the implications of that choice.
To give you some context: a 15-year-old boy moved in next door with his grandparents just a few days ago. His grandfather, presumably wanting to save some money, hasn’t set up internet service at their home. Last year, I had fiber internet installed, boasting an unlimited 50Mbps connection that I was more than happy to share initially. The kid offered to pay for the Wi-Fi access, but I declined; instead, I simply asked him to use the internet responsibly and ethically.
However, upon further reflection, I realized that my well-intentioned act may have inadvertently granted him access to all of my home devices. Remembering my own teenage antics—like the time I played around with programs like “Wack a Mole” (that was actually the Netbus client)—has raised some serious red flags.
Now I’m considering how to better secure my network. I’ve read about wireless isolation and think it may be a potential solution, but I lack detailed knowledge about setting it up. One option I’m considering is utilizing a spare router I have. My plan is to hardwire it and position it near my window, creating a separate network for him on a different subnet than my home devices. However, I’m uncertain about the level of protection this would offer.
Currently, my setup includes a Bell Home Hub 3000 connected to a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 (AC1900) router running the DD-WRT firmware (v3.0).
I would appreciate any insights or advice from those more experienced in home networking. How can I isolate this teenager’s connection while ensuring my own network remains secure? Your thoughts could be invaluable as I navigate this situation. Thank you!
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