This is done pretty often, especially in apartments and condos where the signal is strong from one residence to another because people are close together. I guess, technically, if they were to download or connect to something illegal it could come back on the person paying for the connection, but if it's a temporary situation just until they get their own services hooked up, I'd have no problem with it, myself, given that he knows the people and they're decent. I probably wouldn't do it on a permanent basis just on the principle that they should pay for their own services, but many people do this as an ongoing thing and there is essentially no way it can be found out. Who's to say whether the extra users are neighbors or simply guests in his own apartment?

But again, if it were me I'd let them do it only temporarily and then change the WiFi password after she gets her own services connected. She may be trustworthy but if he leaves the password the same and someone else gets his password they could purposely use his connection to do things they wouldn't do over their own connection, such as download movies illegally, which could put him at risk of legal action or having his internet connection cut off.

Users connected to a common LAN (via the wifi connection) may be able to access information on your son's PC or intercept internet traffic. Especially if the kid is clever or engages in computer break in "play", as many do.

If your son's router allows a "guest" connection, that can provide internet use without access to other PCs or data of his own. I very much agree with the suggestion okay if temporary and change the password after their temporary use.

If it were me, I'd decline the request, even if temporary. They can get their own connection. Allowing them to share is more trouble and potential problems than it's worth and for those reasons I don't believe it's done "often". Most people value their privacy.

If people go to Starbucks, restaurants and all the other places with public WiFi, wouldn't the risks be the same as what you have mentioned here, except probably worse because there are many more people on these public networks? I do know that people do this internet sharing often - articles pop up in the media about it all the time. Your point that that doesn't make it right or 100 percent without risk is well taken.

"wouldn't the risks be the same as what you have mentioned "

No.

If you're saying your knowledge is limited and comes only from "articles in the media", you should maybe say that at the beginning of a comment to which that applies.

Thank you all.

I will show him these posts and let him decide. I think the 17 yr old son might be a problem, but who knows. I personally don't know these people. He knows the woman but only met the son today. He is still in high school.

I am thinking the woman might not be able to pay for internet at this point and hopes my son will let them use his signal. My son is a bit uncomfortable about it.

Thanks again.

Jane

If your son is uncomfortable with it, he probably should not do it.

That said, it is sometimes very nice having a neighbor "owe" you a favor; speaking from experience.

If you use your Cell, Tablet or Laptop at any restaurant I'm sure you remember clicking okay on their Disclaimer. Basically you are agreeing that you won't partake in any illegal activity while using their WiFi Connection.

Might be a good Idea if your son is going to let her use the connection to have her sign a Written Disclaimer stating any illegal activity over this connection would be her responsibility! If your son Googles Legal WiFi Disclaimer Examples, he should be able to find a couple of good examples to go by.

As stated above, I would make sure my Router has the ability for a Guest Account. Then let her and her son use the Guest Account, while your son uses the Main Account on the Router! Many (but not all) Routers these days have this ability!