Securing Your Wi-Fi: A Cautionary Tale of Neighbors and Connections

Allowing neighbors to use your Wi-Fi can seem like a generous gesture, but it’s important to consider the implications—especially when it involves a young user. Recently, I found myself in this exact situation when the teenager next door moved in with his grandparents and requested access to our fiber-optic internet connection. While I wholeheartedly sympathized with the kid—his grandfather was reluctant to invest in their own internet service—I worry that my good intentions could lead to unforeseen consequences.

A Little Backstory

After having fiber internet installed last year and enjoying the benefits of an unlimited 50 Mbps connection, I agreed to let the teen use our Wi-Fi. While he offered to pay for access, I felt it was more important to ask him to be responsible and uphold certain standards of internet use. It wasn’t until later that I realized how much access I had given him—not just to the internet, but to my home network and its connected devices.

Reflecting on my own teenage years, I remembered the mischief we got into with software like “Netbus,” which let us wreak havoc on unsuspecting networks. Now, I worry about the potential for similar antics.

Addressing the Concerns

To protect my home network and ensure my devices remain secure, I’ve started exploring ways to isolate his connection. I stumbled upon the concept of wireless isolation, which seems like a viable option, but my understanding is limited.

One solution I’m considering involves using a spare router I have. My plan is to set it up in a window, hardwired to our main internet connection, and create a separate subnet specifically for the neighbor’s use. This might offer a layer of security, but I’m uncertain about how effective this would be in preventing any unwanted access to my home network.

My Current Setup

As it stands, my network includes:
– A Bell Home Hub 3000 connected via a wired connection to a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 router (which has been flashed with DD-WRT v3.0).

With this equipment, I’m eager to hear any expert opinions or suggestions on how to safely provide internet access to the neighbor kid without compromising my home network’s integrity.

Conclusion

While sharing connectivity can foster a sense of community, we must remain vigilant about our network security. If you’ve navigated a similar scenario, or if you have insights on how best to isolate