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Wifi Neighbor Sharing and Security Issues

NeverhadaPC

NeverhadaPC

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 3, 2008
410
2
Our neighbor (who used to share another neighbor's wifi access but since the other neighbor moved out) came to my door and asked if I wanted to share internet access.

I talked to them and do not think bandwidth will be an issue as they would not (they promised!) download torrents etc.. but only use YouTube! lightly.

We agreed a fee and on monday I will give them my password to my network. Before doing so, I figured I would see if I should be aware of any special problems that may arise and whether I could download a (free!) mac Application that could check that they do not access torrents, child porn (you never know!), etc...

Is there any software or utilities I can use to ensure that my wifi access is not being abused and should I be aware of any security issues with sharing?
 
What specific router model do you have?

Some allow you to access the log and see who (according to the IP and MAC address) accessed what (IP address and ports).
 
I am not sure this is a good idea.

From porn to torrents they say they wont you just wont know.

Also you have to worry about him maybe trying to use network sharing to look at your stuff. Then to have to worry about getting payment all the time.


Give it a shot though, it may just work out if you can trust him.

You can also download bandwidth meters to keep an eye on how the internet is being used.
 
I have standard router from Comcast and Apple WifiXpress (The smaller apple wifi donkel)

Is there any software or utility I could use to just track how much upload/download my network is undergoing daily/weekly/monthly??
 
ClassicII said:
I am not sure this is a good idea.

From porn to torrents they say they wont you just wont know.

Also you have to worry about him maybe trying to use network sharing to look at your stuff. Then to have to worry about getting payment all the time.


Give it a shot though, it may just work out if you can trust him.

You can also download bandwidth meters to keep an eye on how the internet is being used.
Click to expand...

I agree with the trust issue, but they seem OK. Chinese Graduate students in medicine. Where do you get the bandwidth meters?
 
NeverhadaPC said:
I agree with the trust issue, but they seem OK. Chinese Graduate students in medicine. Where do you get the bandwidth meters?
Click to expand...

Those bandwidth meters will only work with your computer, thus no gain.

You have to access the router directly or set up a server to see the traffic or have a router that shows you logs. We hat one once, and older Linksys.
 
Just realize that by being on the same network, they could potentially sniff any traffic coming in or going out on the network. You'll definitely want to make sure your machines have their firewall turned on (which wont help with the traffic sniffing) and be sure you don't have any sharing options on that you don't need in System Preferences.

Personally, I would never trust this kind of setup with a neighbor, but I don't know my neighbors very well. Also realize (which you seem to) that you are legally responsible for any misdeeds that they commit while using your network. That's a big responsibility.
 
angelwatt said:
Just realize that by being on the same network, they could potentially sniff any traffic coming in or going out on the network. You'll definitely want to make sure your machines have their firewall turned on (which wont help with the traffic sniffing) and be sure you don't have any sharing options on that you don't need in System Preferences.

Personally, I would never trust this kind of setup with a neighbor, but I don't know my neighbors very well. Also realize (which you seem to) that you are legally responsible for any misdeeds that they commit while using your network. That's a big responsibility.
Click to expand...

I realize that I could be in trouble if they were to, say, download illegal movies... but could I not just act as if they had hacked my network?

Thanks for the comments!
 
angelwatt said:
Also realize (which you seem to) that you are legally responsible for any misdeeds that they commit while using your network. That's a big responsibility.
Click to expand...

+1

We always *think* we know our neighbors, but given the kinds of risk factors involved (hacking third party sites, wiggling into your network, etc.), my instinct would be to decline the offer. Would be great if it worked, but could be catastrophic if it doesn't. Just my (cautious) two cents.
 
NeverhadaPC said:
I realize that I could be in trouble if they were to, say, download illegal movies... but could I not just act as if they had hacked my network?
Click to expand...

Depends on your lawyer. The law is a bit ambiguous still. There have heard of cases where people were held responsible for inappropriate use of their network by another person.

Similar case: US vs Ahrndt.
A German case.
 
NeverhadaPC said:
I realize that I could be in trouble if they were to, say, download illegal movies... but could I not just act as if they had hacked my network?
Click to expand...

That would be a bad idea.

Downloading illegal copies of movies is copyright infringement. Sharing your internet connection with a neighbour who uses it to download illegal copies of movies is not. Should you be accused of illegal downloading when you haven't done anything wrong yourself, you just tell truthfully that you are sharing your internet connection with your neighbour and haven't downloaded anything illegally yourself. Your accuser would then have to prove that it was indeed you, which they wouldn't be able to, and you should be fine.

But not telling the truth could create serious legal trouble.
 
gretafour said:
How do coffee shops with free WiFi deal with the issue of liability? I don't think it would be any different than that.
Click to expand...

Some of them use a terms of service that users must agree to be fore being able to access any sites. They can also lock certain web sites and run various filters and close ports to block certain programs. That's what Panera does anyway.
 
If your neighbours are caught downloading something illegal, and there are lots of things that could be worse than illegal movies, there is a high probability that all the computers using your network will be examined. It will thus be very difficult to claim that your neighbour hacked into your network. For you to claim this you will need to:-
  • always take cash from your neigbours
  • not tell any friends or acquaintences about your arrangements
  • not leave a trail on the internet about what you are going to do, i.e. not going on forums like macrumors and asking the question you have asked.

I might be a little paranoid but they will look at the websites you visit so unless you clear your surfing cache religiously they may find this post. At that point they've got you for perjury.

Think carefully before you consider lying to some law enforcement person.
 
Gotta say, I'm surprised people would seriously consider this. The risks seem to far outweigh the benefits, as evidenced by others posts and a monthly internet package isn't exactly expensive so you can't really be making any considerable profit doing this... can you?
 
omg chill

omg chill lol

you said you have an airport express?

so set that up with a guest network - their network - then you both have separate networks so there is no trust issue, i believe you can even limit the bandwidth on it?
 
Lokrado said:
omg chill lol

you said you have an airport express?

so set that up with a guest network - their network - then you both have separate networks so there is no trust issue, i believe you can even limit the bandwidth on it?
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the comments. I am not sure how I can be held responsible for neighbors downloading from shared network. I figured, if I email my neighbors, it is enough proof that we have a "gentleman contract" and since downloads can be tied to MAC addresses, I should be fine, right?

I will look into Guest Networks as that is likely the best option. If I cannot find a way to implement a Guest Network - with limited Bandwidth, I will probably decide not to share internet (as I do not know them in-person).
 
Lokrado said:
omg chill lol

you said you have an airport express?

so set that up with a guest network - their network - then you both have separate networks so there is no trust issue, i believe you can even limit the bandwidth on it?
Click to expand...

Are you sure you can set it up with Airport Express? Seems like only Airport Extreme allow for Guest Networks. I am currently traveling so I will check when I get back home.

Thanks!
 
I bought an Airport Extreme and was able to set up the Guest Network. That works perfectly well and I am under the belief that Guest Network are secure enough to allow me to share internet with no security issues.

However, I am still not able to throttle how much bandwidth to allow on my guest network.

Is it possible to throttle bandwidth with Airport Extreme on the Guest Network?
 
In forum spy, I thought your post was WIFE NEIGHBOR SHARING. I clicked quickly and was very diappointed in this thread.
 
NeverhadaPC said:
Are you sure you can set it up with Airport Express? Seems like only Airport Extreme allow for Guest Networks. I am currently traveling so I will check when I get back home.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

no i'm not sure, I just have an Extreme standing centered in my house, I couldn't find a bandwidth limit for guest wifi :(
but why limit the access? - I only max my connection about 5% of the time, and if their abusing you can always pull the plug really. "you abused it, too bad..."

stevensteven123 said:
In forum spy, I thought your post was WIFE NEIGHBOR SHARING. I clicked quickly and was very diappointed in this thread.
Click to expand...

HAHAH that is the funniest comment I have ever seen! :D
 
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