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[Karnac]

A friend of mine is going to rent out her basement apartment and she wants to offer wireless internet to the future tenant. She's concerned that if someone she rents it to uses the connection for less than honourable intentions, is she liable since the connection is in her name? Can she offer wireless in a way that she's protected?

[Rob Pomeroy]

Not really.  Her ISP's terms of service will almost certainly make her liable for the actions of her tenant.  Therefore she would need to take reasonable steps to ensure that the tenant were not able to conduct any malicious activity.  Giving a connection to someone you don't necessarily trust is something that requires careful consideration and planning.

[Karnac]

Thanks Rob, that was exactly what I told her.....she's decided not to include hi-speed in the rent and to let the tenant make their own plans for connection, if they want access to the service.

[Rob Pomeroy]

Yep, probably the best option.

[squall_01]

depends too on the area, could connect too someone next door if its not secured.

[Rob Pomeroy]

Of course, that would neither be ethical nor (in most countries) legal, without the owner's consent.

[BC_Programmer]

yeah, I guess we better avoid the word "moral" now. Would want to have to reiterate the whole "skull-bowl" hypothetical situation to more self-proclaimed anarchists