Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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Well, let me at least make one correction to what you've laid out:
If you've given them access to your wireless access point, they are on your home network. What they can see depends on a couple of things, but to be blunt, I hope you trust them.
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It's good that your wireless access point is using WEP encryption. That helps prevent others from accessing your network. In giving your neighbor your WEP key, however, you've given them access to your network. All of it. It's pretty much the same as giving them a cable directly in to your router.
That means that, for example, if you share files or your printer, your neighbor can see them, and possibly access them.
This is the part where you need to trust them. Allowing them on your home network could allow them access to any private files that you might have on your computer.
Whether or not they can see your surfing habits depends on your router. If it is indeed a router (and it sounds like it is), chances are their computer cannot see the traffic to and from your computer. A router is typically a smart device that "routes" the data only between the ports that are actually involved in the conversation. However, that's an assumption that we make of the device and because the true definition of what a router should or should not do is somewhat vague, it might not always be the case.
Finally, the conversation between you and your bank should be happening over a secure "https" connection, and this is a great example why. A secure connection encrypts the data so that it cannot be seen by anyone other than the two participants in the conversation: you and your bank. This is a computer-to-computer encrypted conversation, so even if your neighbor could monitor the conversation, they wouldn't be able to understand it.
So in your shoes, I would actually not be concerned about their ability to monitor your web-surfing habits, but instead, I'd be concerned about their ability to see files on the computers in your home network.
Article C2395 - July 26, 2005
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
Thank you for this information. I had a new neighbor asking for connectivity to my network over wifi. They just moved in and I was very unsure about it. This post helped take my decision in 5 minutes and do it so politely. Thank u!!
Posted by: Rockr at June 7, 2011 8:36 AMJust tell neighbors you use hard-wired LAN and not WiFi. This way you won't hurt their feelings.
Posted by: Some User at June 28, 2011 9:14 AMI have moved into a home and I have a Macbook and I watch porn. We share the same router. He is my landlord, can he track all the sites I use. They are adult sites and nothing illegal. I have removed the history and cookies, does this help
20-Aug-2011
In reference to the Wi-Fi 'hackers'
What about restricting access to only allow approved MAC addresses, hidden network ID, and having an encrypted password?
I saw no one saying to hide the network ID, as well as the mac address.
Here is another question that an answer may prove useful.
Is there a way to allow a neighbor to use our internet, but actually on a separate "guest" network? Therefore, if his computer gets infected, mine can't?
Thanks!
Posted by: Scott at September 28, 2011 3:05 PMScott
i watch porn on my ipod through wifi and i still live with my parents can they see my history on the pc even though i delete it on my ipod history every time after use???
06-Dec-2011