Hi-Speed Internet Access for Renters

[Kokomo Joe]

What's the best way to provide hi-speed internet access for my renters?

Mediacom cable modem with inexpensive computer for their use?

Mediacom cable modem with wireless access but no computer (renters bring their own laptop)?

Something else?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Smiling JOe]

What's the best way to provide hi-speed internet access for my renters?

Mediacom cable modem with inexpensive computer for their use?

Mediacom cable modem with wireless access but no computer (renters bring their own laptop)?

Something else?

Thanks for any suggestions.

You probably don't want the risk involved with allowing them to use a computer registered to you -- two words -- Kiddie Porn = you are in big trouble.

If it were me, I would opt for the wireless access.

 

[Just_In_Thyme]

I provide wireless access to the house. Most people who need it while on vacation bring their laptop. Having a computer in the house is asking for trouble. It will inevitably get messed up, and you will spend time and $$ trying to fix what the rentors did to it.

 

[barefootguy]

I would also say ... don't give them a computer.

I have a wireless router hooked up to the cable modem. I do leave a long ethernet cable, that way they can hook up either way.

I set the wireless router up with 128 bit WEP encryption, and leave instructions and WEP key info in our rental book at the house.

 

[WLD]

We give renters wireless access. We provide simple instructions and also a list of other places they can go to get access, if ours is on the fritz.

 

[SGB]

We do the same as barefootguy. Works great.

 

[Beach Runner]

We provide high-speed Internet access through Embarq. We also have wireless, but keep the router (and the modem) locked up in the owner's closet so that no one will steal it or no smart aleck will try to mess with it.

I don't worry about guests doing illegal things online because the rental company documents who is there and when they are there. So if something inappropriate occurred, we could document that we didn't do it. Actually, just out of curiosity, when we're there, I always check the browsing history to see which websites our guests have been to (and I don't click on ones whose URLs like like a porn site ). Also the websites that they visit give me an idea of if they are truthful about the ages of who is staying at the house. BTW from checking the browsing history, it appears that almost all guests use their own laptops.

After doing this, I clear out the cache, cookies, etc., and update the virus protection and anti-spyware. If the guest totally messes up the desktop, in the owners closet we keep copies of the operating system, MS Office, McAfee, etc., and just wipe everything out and reinstall the software.