Navigating the Delicate Balance of Sharing Wi-Fi: A Cautionary Tale

Recently, I found myself in a rather thought-provoking situation after I agreed to let the new neighbor’s teenage son use our Wi-Fi. Initially, it seemed like a friendly gesture; however, upon further reflection, I realized I might have overlooked a few potential complications.

The Background Story

A few days ago, a 15-year-old boy moved in next door with his grandparents. It seems that his grandfather decided against investing in their own internet connection; instead, they’re relying on a somewhat outdated setup. Coincidentally, our home recently upgraded to a fiber-optic internet service with a generous unlimited plan offering 50 Mbps both for uploads and downloads.

When the boy approached me for access, he offered to pay for it. Rather than accepting payment, I emphasized the importance of being responsible and using the connection in a lawful manner. However, it dawned on me afterward that I had unwittingly granted him access to all the devices connected to my network.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Reflecting on my own teenage years, I couldn’t help but recall the mischief we caused with internet access back in the day. One particular program, often referred to as “Whack-a-Mole” but more technically known as the Netbus client, springs to mind. These memories sparked a wave of concern about what “keeping it clean” could mean in today’s context.

Solutions for Safe Connectivity

To protect my home network while still being a good neighbor, I’ve been exploring ways to isolate the connection for the young guest. One idea is to implement wireless isolation, although I’m not entirely familiar with the technical details.

Another option I considered is using a spare router I have lying around. By hardwiring this separate router and positioning it strategically in a window, I could create a distinctly separate subnet for him. This way, I could closely monitor and limit what he could access on my primary network.

Currently, my setup includes a Bell Home Hub 3000 connected via ethernet to a Netgear Nighthawk R7000, which is running on DD-WRT firmware (version 3.0). With these tools at my disposal, I’m curious to know what the best course of action would be to ensure my home network remains secure.

Your Insights Are Welcome

Have you faced a similar situation? What strategies did you employ to manage shared internet access responsibly? I would