Author Topic: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?  (Read 21075 times)

braingrenades

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Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« on: May 25, 2016, 01:45:37 PM »
So I'm doing my best to cut down on my monthly expenses and this question is related to Internet service.

Time Warner Bill Breakdown:
$20 Extreme Upgrade
-$20 Service Discount
$59.99 Standard Internet
-$15 Service Discount
$44.99 Total Cost

Speedtest:
59 Mbps download (I'm on the Internet all the time and use it for gaming, streaming video, etc.)
6 Mbps upload

My complex is a single story row of about 5 units. I'm friends with most everyone in the complex but just on a casual level. I'm probably already getting a decent rate for the quality of Internet and I was curious would it be a bad idea to offer sharing to one or two neighbors to cut down or eliminate my bill completely? Could I get in trouble with Time Warner for doing something like this? Would the setup be a headache? Just an idea I had but not sure if it's worth the trouble.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2016, 01:48:14 PM »
You just need one of them to download illegal horse porn or whatever and it's in your name.

nereo

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2016, 01:56:15 PM »
It's a fairly common practice to split an internet service among multiple people.  It's typically what happens anytime you have roommates, and I've shared internet with neighbors when I lived in a duplex.  Regarding the risk of someone doing something illegal online, it's my understanding that the crimes would be traced back to the individual devices used, not just to the router.  Maybe someone better versed in cyberlaw will chime in...

Paul der Krake

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2016, 01:59:44 PM »
Prohibited in the T&Cs.

Do it.

Orvell

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2016, 02:01:48 PM »
I split my internet bill with my upstairs neighbor (and friend) and it works well. But I also know her and am not worried about Certain Bad Things.
*Shrugs*

The most likely downside I could see is if the internet goes out and your neighbors come to bug you to reset the router, etc. XD

Kitsune

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2016, 02:07:30 PM »
I've done it. It's TECHINCALLY not allowed, but, well, wireless router, who is gonna prove anything?

Caveats:
- Internet goes down. You're gonna get people knocking on your door to reset the modem.
- ONLY do this if the amount you download is unlimited by your plan. Otherwise, it's $$$, and everyone will be convinced it's someone else's responsibility.
- Make sure you actually get the money on time. Otherwise, make sure you can change the password and cut off access.

Generally speaking, though: decent way to cut a bill in half or in thirds.


mskyle

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2016, 02:12:13 PM »
I've done it and it worked fine. I was not the one who paid the cable company, and I had only a nodding acquaintance with my neighbor who had the router.

If people download things illegally and the cable company notices, they will most likely give you some kind of warning before cutting you off completely, and then you can cut off your neighbors if necessary. People all over the world do a terrible job securing their wifi networks, leaving them open to complete strangers, and usually nothing too terrible happens.

Daley

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2016, 02:20:43 PM »
Regarding the risk of someone doing something illegal online, it's my understanding that the crimes would be traced back to the individual devices used, not just to the router.  Maybe someone better versed in cyberlaw will chime in...

The FBI does armed 4am wake up visits on the address of the router and account (similar with lawsuits, C&D's, etc.), not the owner of the MAC address of the device that accessed and shared that content behind the router. The burden of proof that it isn't you to maintain innocence is on the head of the one who signed the contract and pays the official bill, not the ones making the charge, and certainly not the one who you're breaking the TOS for and getting paid under the table with money you're not reporting to the IRS.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2016, 02:23:31 PM by I.P. Daley »

retiringearly

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2016, 02:27:52 PM »
Upside - save $20 or $30 per month
Downside - have your name & photo in the local paper for distributing child porn

I think I would pass on this one.

plog

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2016, 02:53:22 PM »
Just one.

Just one link to an article of Mr. & Mrs. GoodNeighbor who got railroaded for [Insert Heinous Pornagraphy Here] because they shared their internet or left it open.

Just one. 


Gimesalot

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2016, 04:11:16 PM »
We share with our neighbors who are also our tenants.  It has worked out great for us with almost no issues.  There was one time that the router needed to be reset, but I wasn't home, and they just made do.  It saves us $40 a month and it isn't an issue in terms of trust because I already did a background and credit check on them.

Honestly, child pornography and other illegal things exist.  However, if you look at the numbers of people participating in these activities, it is very small.  I am way more worried about getting struck by lightning than getting in trouble for sharing internet.

nereo

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2016, 04:25:41 PM »
I'm a bit surprised to see so many people wary of criminal activity on a shared WiFi.  I wonder how often someone wrongfully gets charged with these sorts of things.  I get burden of proof for the owner, but it seems a DA would want a bit more evidence than "well here's the IP address".  Its so common for people ot have unprotected networks, and share networks, and they don't want an actual criminal to weasel their way out of a charge either. They want to see stuff stored on hard drives from a computer that they are the only or primary user.  shrug... just thinking out-loud now.


tweezers

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2016, 04:42:24 PM »
I'm a bit surprised to see so many people wary of criminal activity on a shared WiFi.  I wonder how often someone wrongfully gets charged with these sorts of things.  I get burden of proof for the owner, but it seems a DA would want a bit more evidence than "well here's the IP address".  Its so common for people ot have unprotected networks, and share networks, and they don't want an actual criminal to weasel their way out of a charge either. They want to see stuff stored on hard drives from a computer that they are the only or primary user.  shrug... just thinking out-loud now.

It would seem, but the go to is the IP address:

http://fusion.net/story/287592/internet-mapping-glitch-kansas-farm/

WildJager

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2016, 07:49:44 PM »
The IP address is the go to for illegal activity, and your ISP will cut off your internet and issue a cease and desist memo to your account should activity like that happen.

Most providers offer up a few warnings before they close your account perminantly, but it's their prerogative. 

The RIAA in particular has had a hard time bringing people to court for things like media sharing with the IP being the deterministic factor, because there is always the claim of innocence ("I was hacked!" or "My router was unsecure!"), which frankly are potentially valid alibis (though many people simply settle when facing litigation and are obviously guilty).  So, as it stands right now, when push comes to shove, you can probably prove ignorance and innocence. 

However, in the end, you are defrauding a company and stealing a service.  Period dot.  Can you do it?  Sure.  Should you?  That depends on where your morals lie.

lifejoy

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2016, 08:56:49 PM »
I've been the neighbour slipping $20 under my neighbour's door each month. It was great. Do like that :)

Mrs. S

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #15 on: May 26, 2016, 06:59:00 AM »
Do It. A lot of people provide WIFI to their tenants and I haven't really heard any horror stories. If something happens I am quite sure there are ways to track down who downloaded it.
Now if you live next to hackers, people involved in bad illegal things you can be sure they'll find a way to hack into your WIFI and use if for the same. So if you do think your neighbors are closet criminals don't do it.

Tjat

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #16 on: May 26, 2016, 10:52:47 AM »
Didn't MMM write an entire article about jointly buying internet with his neighborhood and rigging up some antenna contraption relay system? Hopefully the pedafiles don't point the finger at him... I wonder how Starbucks is defending themselves against Pedos using their free internet?

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/16/internet-sharing-how-to-get-revenge-on-the-cable-company/


ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #17 on: May 26, 2016, 10:56:51 AM »
Just one.

Just one link to an article of Mr. & Mrs. GoodNeighbor who got railroaded for [Insert Heinous Pornagraphy Here] because they shared their internet or left it open.

Just one.

Here you go.

And another.

Bonus: Shaq busted down a guy's door because of this.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #18 on: May 26, 2016, 11:31:48 AM »
Didn't MMM write an entire article about jointly buying internet with his neighborhood and rigging up some antenna contraption relay system? Hopefully the pedafiles don't point the finger at him... I wonder how Starbucks is defending themselves against Pedos using their free internet?

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/16/internet-sharing-how-to-get-revenge-on-the-cable-company/
I believe he made sure that it was ok in the T&C's first.

plog

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #19 on: May 26, 2016, 12:07:33 PM »
Just one.

Just one link to an article of Mr. & Mrs. GoodNeighbor who got railroaded for [Insert Heinous Pornagraphy Here] because they shared their internet or left it open.

Just one.

Here you go.

And another.

Bonus: Shaq busted down a guy's door because of this.

Nope, nope and nope.  Not one of those links had a story about anyone charged with a crime, nor did any of those have to do wtih pornography.

Granted, unsecured wifi contributed to shitty police to do shitty things, but we are all at the mercy of dumbshit cops all day/every day. You were not able to post a link that met my criteria.   

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #20 on: May 26, 2016, 12:10:15 PM »
Just one.

Just one link to an article of Mr. & Mrs. GoodNeighbor who got railroaded for [Insert Heinous Pornagraphy Here] because they shared their internet or left it open.

Just one.

Here you go.

And another.

Bonus: Shaq busted down a guy's door because of this.

Nope, nope and nope.  Not one of those links had a story about anyone charged with a crime, nor did any of those have to do wtih pornography.

Granted, unsecured wifi contributed to shitty police to do shitty things, but we are all at the mercy of dumbshit cops all day/every day. You were not able to post a link that met my criteria.

Cool story bro

braingrenades

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #21 on: May 26, 2016, 12:28:17 PM »
Thanks for the feedback. I guess this is one for me to sleep on. My neighbors are young and most are female (I know lucky me right) so the biggest concern of "bad things" would be them illegally downloading a movie, maybe software or something like that.

Orvell

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #22 on: May 26, 2016, 12:32:29 PM »
Thanks for the feedback. I guess this is one for me to sleep on. My neighbors are young and most are female (I know lucky me right) so the biggest concern of "bad things" would be them illegally downloading a movie, maybe software or something like that.
XD
Listen, I share internet and I believe in the goodness of the human race. I'm not particularly concerned about the issues raised in this thread, although they are likely valid.
However I just feel the need to inform you, very gently, that women watch porn too. Anything you are concerned about a young man getting up to on the internet, you are not protected from just because you are sharing wifi with young women.
Just... yeah. XD

Kitsune

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #23 on: May 26, 2016, 12:37:03 PM »
Thanks for the feedback. I guess this is one for me to sleep on. My neighbors are young and most are female (I know lucky me right) so the biggest concern of "bad things" would be them illegally downloading a movie, maybe software or something like that.
XD
Listen, I share internet and I believe in the goodness of the human race. I'm not particularly concerned about the issues raised in this thread, although they are likely valid.
However I just feel the need to inform you, very gently, that women watch porn too. Anything you are concerned about a young man getting up to on the internet, you are not protected from just because you are sharing wifi with young women.
Just... yeah. XD

Seconding that.

I mean, nice assumption, but... erm. Potentially/absolutely erroneous.

mrcheese

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Re: Bad idea - sharing Internet with neighbors in apartment?
« Reply #24 on: May 27, 2016, 01:57:09 AM »
I currently slip my next door neighbour $20 a month to use her wifi. Saves me $$$ and helps her out. win-win-win :)

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!