Unraveling a Curious Case of Wi-Fi Spoofing

Have you ever encountered a problem so unusual that it leaves you scratching your head, wondering how it even came to be? Recently, I found myself grappling with a perplexing situation related to my in-laws’ internet connection that felt straight out of a cybersecurity thriller.

The Setup

Currently, I’m living with my spouse’s parents in the UK. They are subscribed to Virgin Media and utilize a Hub 3 router. Significantly, they have yet to change the factory-set SSID and password, which makes it relatively easy for anyone nearby to pick up their signal.

With multiple people now residing in the house, the Hub 3 has started to struggle under the weight of all the connections. In an effort to improve connectivity, I decided to invest in a high-end router, planning to switch the Hub 3 into modem mode and let the new device take over the Wi-Fi duties.

The Strange Discovery

Just as I initiated this plan, something bizarre happened; I noticed my phone still connected to the Virgin router—despite it being powered off. Curious, I employed a Wi-Fi analyzer app to investigate further. To my astonishment, I detected a strong signal not just anywhere in the house, but specifically in my in-laws’ recently redecorated bedroom.

This was especially confusing as they assured me there was no additional access point within their home. The main socket is connected solely to the Hub 3, and after some recent renovations, nothing remains hidden or forgotten in that room.

A Neighborly Conundrum

The intriguing part? The mysterious access point wasn’t even from Virgin; it was emanating from a TalkTalk router located next door. I executed a WHOIS lookup on my public IP address and confirmed it was tied to a TalkTalk connection—how peculiar!

It soon became clear that the neighboring house, which operates as a rented multiple occupancy residence, had unwittingly garnered access to my in-laws’ Wi-Fi. With their SSID and WPA2 password seemingly compromised, I began to piece together what might have happened.

Theories to Explain the Madness

Innocent Explanation:
1. Someone from the neighboring house potentially obtained my in-laws’ Wi-Fi credentials, possibly through methods like overhearing discussions or even spotting details on the router’s sticker.
2. They initially used the access for their own internet needs, sharing the credentials with subsequent tenants.