Guests downloading content illegally using WiFi

[Mary172]

I have received a notice from my provider, Suddenlink about illegal use of my home Internet.  I have freely given my server and password information to guests to use - but no more!  My service provider has issued a warning and offered 2 specific dates where illegal copies of movies (not pornographic, unless you consider Kung Fu Panda pornographic!!) were downloaded when 2 different guests stayed in my Airbnb room.

Beginning today, I will add a warning to my House Rules and posted in the room, but I also have one other idea.  I think I will not offer the WiFi password until guests confirm they understand the house policy.  I am NOT a fan of many restrictions on my guests and doing anything that could be construed as negative, but I am very concerned about the illegal use of my home Internet.

Please share your thoughts on this and your experience!  Thanks all you wonderful hosts out there!

[Aaron38]

There's probably someone out in the community who can help you put a "whitelist" of sites on your routers that won't allow torrents, etc through.  It's not me, but I believe this sort of filter exists.  Maybe under "parental controls"?  You may be able to limit the sites, or limit the amount those users can download (also known as throttling), which would deter them.  Sorry I don't have more concrete advice, just ideas.

[Mary172]

Hey thanks so much!  I would love to find more information on this and will seek this out!

[Andrea9]

@Mary172

This seems to be an unpleasant issue for hosts occasionally.

I don't have any experience with it myself but remember there recently having been a thread with tips and comments on this theme as well as some in the past.

I used the search function on the community and got these posts that you might want to take the time to look at:

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?filter=location&location=category%3Aco...

[JT-On-Behalf-Of0]

Mary,

We take a similar precaution - we have a warning in the House Rules section of our properties and NEVER give out passwords.  I think you are wise to do similar.

JT

[Linda108]

When you say you never give out passwords, does that mean you don't offer Wifi access?

[A--J--Family-And-Hosts-0]

got rid if Wi-Fi now I only offer internet and a computer to use I'm not going to get a $300 to $130,000 fine for guests. I was told there's no other way plus guests come from other countries don't care about breaking the rules or inky stay one night some do this for a living make slot of money. Or charge a fee to guests daily for Wi-Fi. I pay around $200 a month business account.

[Anastacia0]

I personally feel this NEED for FREE WIFI EVERYWHERE you venture is getting out of hand.  Sure, paying your bills is easier, however..

Millennials do not know how to unplug, unwind without a phone or laptop attached to their extremity...or sit together, but while staring at their phones. Sorry, rant over. 

[Robin4]

@Mary172 @Linda108 @Andrea9......Mary I can't speak for the United States but here in Australia torrent sites have been blocked and if you try to access a torrent site here you will be re-directed to a gambling site or similar.

Having said that I think we are possibly a bit more fortunate here with our providers. I am on a $60.00 per month plan which gives me unlimited monthly download access plus totally free home phone and calls to anywhere in the world through a VoIP service. That combined with out 2 mobiles phones mean our combined internet/communication bill comes to less than $100.00au per month.

Most guests these days would consider it to be the end of the civilised world if WiFi access was not available so I freely give the password to incoming guests....and I must admit I did have concerns about pirate movie downloads but now that Torrent sites have been blocked I feel much more comfortable.

I have heard that it happens but I find it incredible that an internet provider will single you out with a specific date and download for a 'roasting'!!

I am ignorant about these things so don't chastise me for something that may be obvious but, is it possible for you to set up an allowance limit with your provider per 15 minutes or something like that so that illegal downloading can be nipped in the bud!

Cheers....Rob

[Kim285]

I too just experienced guests downloading illegal cable tv shows and violating copyright laws via BIT Torrent over my internet/wifi in my guest house.  This can carry a financial fine/penalty and I assume that I would be liable.

I am adding this to my house rules, as well as putting a notice in my house binder that I keep on the premises.  

My guest house wifi is separate from my home wifi, and I can turn it off if they violate this rule.

[Jill170]

Hi all, I'm a bit late to the game but for anyone still looking for a solution its worth using OpenDNS, and its free. It will block all the illegal and nasty stuff 🙂

https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/

[Cathy172]

@Kim285 How can you tell if they are misusing the WIFI?

[Kim285]

 When I had to guests who illegally downloaded content, I was notified within hours by my Internet provider. I then spoke directly with the guests and ask them to stop.   I then tightened the controls on my Internet, as well as updated my house rules. 

[Dimasik0]

Hi, 

I'm from Belarus and now I'm studying and live in the Czech Republic and want to use airbnb to rent my place to guests. So I'm very concerned about the illegal usage of the internet I don't want to be responsible for the crime that someone else did. Here, in the Czech Republic I contacted a bunch of internet providers asking how I can protect myself from the illegal usage of the internet by the guest. And each provider knows nothing about it. How about adding internet terms of use to the House Rules? something like (By accepting and/or making a confirmed booking to stay in .... u accept the next terms for using the internet: u are responsible for every cost/damage caused by your usage of the internet and u are prohibited to violate any law etc.) or maybe message a guest before he books a place and ask him to message (I agree) back to u. May it help? Something like all the restaurants and hotels have - u should accept the internet terms before using the internet. 

[Melissa298]

I also received a notice from my internet provider (AT&T) that copyright infringement may have taken place on my Internet.  I used to freely provide my wifi password; i wonder now if that is wise.  Maybe I will be more selective in my hosting.