Avoiding legal problems from shared wireless internet

Satellite_John

I own I house which I rent out on a per room basis. I am thinking of installing Wi-Fi wireless internet for use by all the residents.

My problem is that the service will have to be in my name – and I do not wish to be sued for what my tenants download/upload. If I was sued I would not know which resident was the offending user.

I am thinking of just having an open unencrypted router – where anybody can use it. Then if I get any threatening letters, I can just respond that it is an open router and I do not know who uses it. Will this work? Does anybody have experience of this? What is the best way?

Thanks for any help

456789

Or you could restrict it to certain websites like news, sport, email - though that would be an extreme measure

Browntoa

yo can use MAC address filtering

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessproducts/qt/macaddress.htm

set them up the first time , router logs indicate whos done what and that only they can access the network , let them know that its so it can be logged in case there is any legal comeback on you

if you leave it open I would not say that was a defense if you got called up for peer to peer

Turkey_Machine

Satellite_John wrote: »

I own I house which I rent out on a per room basis. I am thinking of installing Wi-Fi wireless internet for use by all the residents.

My problem is that the service will have to be in my name – and I do not wish to be sued for what my tenants download/upload. If I was sued I would not know which resident was the offending user.

I am thinking of just having an open unencrypted router – where anybody can use it. Then if I get any threatening letters, I can just respond that it is an open router and I do not know who uses it. Will this work? Does anybody have experience of this? What is the best way?

Thanks for any help

The way it was set up at my private halls of residence was that each flat would set up their own internet. I paid for my flat's internet, but I made sure the router was encrypted and only the people who paid the rent knew the password for it. This way, you know that what they do, they're accountable for.

Jemma-T

Satellite_John wrote:

Avoiding legal problems from shared wireless internet

Virtually impossible. Only way to avoid it would be to unplug it from the electricty.

Satellite_John wrote:

What is the best way?

To not supply any service. You wouldn't provide wind energy so leave service provision to other people. If the people want it let them sort it with making their own contracts with line installers or mobile broadband.

mrJ_5

If one of the users (secured or not) access child !!!!!!, bomb making sites, makes the broadband account linked to a terrorist organisation, downloads movies and music illegally, then you will be held responsible as the account holder.

Its also against ISPs terms to re-sell the service to anyone.

Naykon

Jemma-T wrote: »

Virtually impossible. Only way to avoid it would be to unplug it from the electricty.



To not supply any service. You wouldn't provide wind energy so leave service provision to other people. If the people want it let them sort it with making their own contracts with line installers or mobile broadband.

I fail to see how that's helpful....

how is it so many hotels/weatherspoons/coffee shops etc can offer free wifi? how do they get around the issue?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Naykon wrote: »

I fail to see how that's helpful....

how is it so many hotels/weatherspoons/coffee shops etc can offer free wifi? how do they get around the issue?

Because they have a business agreement with their suppliers.

A bit like watching SKY Football in the pub.

Jemma-T

Is the OP going to supply free chocolate ice-cream 24/7 too? Or what about condoms? What if they burst (that's the condoms not the people eating too much free ice-cream)? There's a subtle point in there.

mrJ wrote:

If one of the users (secured or not) access child !!!!!!, bomb making sites, makes the broadband account linked to a terrorist organisation, downloads movies and music illegally, then you will be held responsible as the account holder..

Absolute garbage. Although the police may still kick your door in as the account holder.

456789

Actually in some broadband terms and conditions it does say you are responsible for what other people do on your connection. It doesn't mean you are going to go to jail but it could be a lot of hassle.

mrJ_5

Jemma-T wrote: »

Absolute garbage. Although the police may still kick your door in as the account holder.

Not garbage - it can happen.... everyone who gets letters from the music, film, or software companies either downloaded something illegally (supposedly - but correct half the time) - if unsecure others can use your connection and get you into possible bother etc.... you are the account holder and are thus responsible.
The rest are more extreme and rare, but again... it can happen...