Unraveling a Disturbing Wi-Fi Mystery: Are My In-Laws’ Credentials Being Compromised?

In today’s digital age, the importance of secure internet connections cannot be overstated. Recently, I found myself facing an unusual conundrum that brought this reality to light in a way I never expected. As someone with a degree in Computer Science and a background in Cyber Security Consultancy—though I’ve since shifted my career focus—I felt compelled to seek guidance on an alarming situation concerning my in-laws’ Wi-Fi.

The Setup

Currently residing with my spouse’s parents in the UK, they rely on Virgin Media as their Internet Service Provider, utilizing a Hub 3 router. To manage the increasing number of devices connected in the household, I purchased a high-end router intending to configure the Hub 3 in modem mode. However, during my preparations, I uncovered something unsettling.

Despite the Hub 3 being powered down, my phone still displayed a weak connection to it. Curiosity piqued, I turned to a Wi-Fi analyzer app to pinpoint the source of this inexplicable signal. To my surprise, I discovered a strong Wi-Fi signal emanating from their bedroom, suggesting a mysterious access point.

The Twist

After further investigation, it became clear that this was not simply an internal issue. The signal was originating from the neighboring property, coming from a TalkTalk router—not Virgin, as one would expect. Additionally, the credentials for this access point were suspiciously identical to the default SSID and WPA2 password of the Hub 3.

This was no mere coincidence. I conducted a WHOIS lookup on my public IP address, confirming that I was indeed using a TalkTalk connection. But how did this happen?

The Technical Theories

Several theories popped into my head, ranging from innocent misunderstandings to more sinister implications:

Innocent Explanation:

1. Information Leak: At some point, a former resident of the neighboring house gained access to my in-laws’ Wi-Fi credentials—possibly through social engineering, visual access to the router, or other means.
2. Shared Connections: The current occupants of the neighboring house began using the Internet without understanding that they were connecting to my in-laws’ network, either accidentally or out of convenience.
3. Router Setup: Eventually, their landlord installed a legitimate TalkTalk connection, using the previously shared credentials to avoid connectivity disruptions for the new tenants.

**Malicious Explanation: