wilkes

Tango is right. The router will assign ip addresses to all of the nodes that you are sharing with. When they connect to the internet, that address will be translated so that the outside world only sees one address, the one assigned to you by your ISP. Therefore, it doesn't matter if it is just one PC or 20, the Internet sees your whole Network as one single PC. So unless you want to answer for everyone on your Network, I wouldn't do it.

thanks Tango, never knew that about the modem / router IP .... appreciate the correction

depends on the router.

How close does your neighbor have to be to share? How many feet?

If your friends would like to share and they are trustworthy and you have enough speed, I would suggest to share the internet and the cost. This would seem a very fair and good solution to me

Most ISP's have a clause in the contract that will prohibit connection sharing outside the residence listed. But if they are friends of yours and you wouldn't miss the bandwidth then go ahead.

WirelessGuy,

I ran into the same issue you did. Especially with the new N protocol that a lot of routers are being built upon, you can get up to 300mb/s connectivity through two wireless routers running the N protocol.

What I did was use WEP protection, give them the passkey, and let them get configured. Just be sure to tell them that it's only dependent upon you having an internet connection. My neighbors are cool with it, and now I have people to keep up with the new scene releases on some of my private tracker sites. It's a great thing if you are at work and they are at home.

Wireless it's perfectly legit of you to just password protect your signal and tell them you're worried about hackers / security issues. It's not like you "owe" it to them.

On the other hand if you're not that worried about it and want to do them a favor, go for it. So long as both of you aren't trying to download movies at same time it probably won't inconvenience you.

Truth is a huge % of people don't password protect their signal. When I'm out somewhere and need a signal I just cruise any nice neighborhood and never have a problem getting a connection.

it's none of their business is it?

split the bill ?

What should I say to my good neighbors about my wifi signal?

Each computer has it's own IP address. You should have no problem with sharing. I would do it if a neighbor I knew asked me too. It shouldn't be illegal as you are giving them permission. It's no different than sending a signal to another room of your house.

Yes - the main risk I had in mind was hacking into your personal data

I was thinking the same thing as far as hacking. There has to be a reason that you can password protect it. Just a thought

DChaney's point about risk is probably about the increased ease with which someone can hack into your computer .... worth thinking about especially if you do online banking, buy stuff with credit cards, etc

yeah wireless, there are so many terrorists hiding here in Wilkes

legally, you're in the clear ... even "IF" you have child p**n selling Al Qaieda terrorists living next door using your wireless signal to bring about Armageddon ... it's their computer and their IP address, not your's

so unless you have prior knowledge of any illegal behavior and allow them to use your signal to further these illegal acts (otherwise known as being an accomplice) you're cool so long as you are paying for your internet access like anyone else

not sure what Germany has to do with this other than providing So Far Away yet another opportunity to remind us that she has lived in Germany

with

How does it work wit an internet cafe?

I admire the thought - but there is some risk to you and no benefit - I wouldn't

Im not sure if you should. If they end up doing illegal activity through your internet can you end up getting the blame for it? We have wireless at our house in Germany and I have it password protected. It looks like if they were doing something they shouldnt be, it could somehow get back to you since you are the one whos name is on the account.