Granting temporary access to my home wifi

Forums › Desktop computing › Granting temporary access to my home wifi

jpoc

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#138782 16-Jan-2014 14:18

How should I go about this?

Right now, we are babysittiig a friend's daughter. She is here with a tablet. I'd like to be able to grant her access to the internet though my wifi but I do not want to type the domestic wifi key into her device.

Could I setup something similar to the 24 hour access codes that you get when checking into an hotel?

I'd rather not try a solution such as buying another router and turning it on and setting a new password when we have guests.

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#968188 16-Jan-2014 14:23

Some routers have the ability to set up a guest wifi network (different SSID/password).

If you had a permanently connected desktop you could probably use a second wireless card in ad-hoc mode to set up a guest network and bridge that connection with the domestic wifi, but that would be a bit of a kludge (probably the cheapest option though, short of just changing the password temporarily).

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#968189 16-Jan-2014 14:23

If your router supports such a feature, yes.

You haven't said what hardware you have, so it's impossible for anybody to really answer the question.

johnr

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#968190 16-Jan-2014 14:24

Knowing the hardware would help us

Oblivian

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#968195 16-Jan-2014 14:28

Check the router config. Most newer ones engaged a 2nd SSID and guest security measures with later firmware updates. (even my old dynalink 1025W)

To get temporary tickets etc you need to sign up with either a portal company like the hotels use, or install a dedicated PC with wireless/auth software on it :)

/edit aannnd my lack of screen refresh sees my peers beat me to it

JimmyH

2886 posts

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#968197 16-Jan-2014 14:30

Guest mode if the router has it, then you can limit access to other parts of the network and turn it off when she isn't there. Otherwise, you have to put the main WiFi password into her tablet.

As others have pointed out, it's easier for people to help you with a solution when you tell them what the hardware you have to work with is.

wellygary

8345 posts

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#968211 16-Jan-2014 14:49

ANY particular reason you don't want to give her the Wifi password?

One way to retain some control is to implement MAC Access on your network ( if your AP supports it)
Thus meaning that even if someone has your password they cannot gain access unless you specifically grant their device access, ( which can also be revoked or time controlled i.e doesn't work after 10pm etc)

timmmay

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#968219 16-Jan-2014 14:57

What are you trying to achieve? Letting her onto the net but restricting her in some way? Preventing her sitting outside your house later and using all your bandwidth?

Just type the password in yourself. Change it later if you're paranoid.

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jpoc

1043 posts

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#968223 16-Jan-2014 15:03

johnr: Knowing the hardware would help us

You really don't want a full list but I do have a thinkpad (XP) and an iMac (Snow Leopard) both of which have wired connections and Wifi built in.

tdgeek

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#968235 16-Jan-2014 15:20

timmmay: What are you trying to achieve? Letting her onto the net but restricting her in some way? Preventing her sitting outside your house later and using all your bandwidth?

Just type the password in yourself. Change it later if you're paranoid.

Agree, usually you cannot see the wifi password, so if she is babysat later it's already sorted for her. When I read "babysit" I defaulted to it must be a toddler, then I read tablet. Maybe is a toddler, that's where it's going these days!

sidefx

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#968237 16-Jan-2014 15:25

jpoc:
johnr: Knowing the hardware would help us

You really don't want a full list but I do have a thinkpad (XP) and an iMac (Snow Leopard) both of which have wired connections and Wifi built in.

In this case though the hardware they're probably interested in (and which will allow people to help you the most) is just your router model.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

johnr

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#968249 16-Jan-2014 15:44

jpoc:
johnr: Knowing the hardware would help us

You really don't want a full list but I do have a thinkpad (XP) and an iMac (Snow Leopard) both of which have wired connections and Wifi built in.

Only the wireless router clearly

jpoc

1043 posts

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#968310 16-Jan-2014 16:36

johnr:
jpoc:
johnr: Knowing the hardware would help us

You really don't want a full list but I do have a thinkpad (XP) and an iMac (Snow Leopard) both of which have wired connections and Wifi built in.

Only the wireless router clearly

Edimax 7206a but I doubt that will do what I want.

wellygary

8345 posts

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#968343 16-Jan-2014 17:07

That router will do MAC access controls, so you can lock them out even if they know the password

jpoc

1043 posts

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#968406 16-Jan-2014 18:12

I think that I have found something. It is called air marshall.

Runs on Linux. Free for max 5 simultaneous connections.

Guess I can try a linux VM on the thinkpad.

raytaylor

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#968490 16-Jan-2014 20:58

Thats way overcomplicating things.

If your router doesnt use guest mode, and you dont want to use mac white/blacklisting then

1) Add a 1 onto the SSID eg. JohnsWifi becomes JohnsWifi1
2) Change the WPA security passkey - JohnsPass becomes happytreefriends
3) Use that for the week. Connect your devices to the new network.
4) When she goes, take the 1 off the end of the SSID, and put the WPA key back to JohnsPass
All computers will remember the old SSID and WPA key so when you put it back, they will automatically reconnect with the old passkey.

Ray Taylor

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