Hi,
I’m having my first house sit and am a little hesitant about giving someone my internet information to use. How is this usually handled? Can I just indicate in the post that wifi isn’t available? I’m assuming they will be using their own laptop, etc If I do allow my wifi to be used. I just need some advice on this subject. I don’t want anyone to be able to get access to my information.
Thanks,
Terry
Create a guest account. Or change the password on return.
If you don’t offer wifi, you can forget getting most sitters nowadays.
Concern regarding giving out the Wi-Fi password doesn’t really seem reasonable given the level of trust you are giving to the person who is sitting for you. They are literally living in your home, sleeping in your bed and taking care of almost everything you hold important.
As well as physical access to everything in your home while you’re not there.
But if you want extra security, what @Maggie8K said.
As already said create a guest account. Anyway, giving access to your wifi connection doesn’t give access to your information only the internet connection.
Wifi now days is as basic as water and electricity. As others have said create a guest SSID and password then delete it after they have gone if you wish.
Do you not allow visiting friends and family to use your wi-fi?
Indeed. Including access to the router. Which probably can be reset to factory settings, with the password that is probably on the device.
I do not think one can get much out of that information, except for activity while the sitters are there.
Doubt you’d get any sitters if you’re not offering wifi. Its kind of an expected utility nowadays and many sitters work while they sit.
I’ve accepted a few sits where there wasn’t any internet available but not because of some trust issue but rather the owners didn’t want any at home (I get that as I didn’t have Internet for two years). As those sits have been in my home country where I have tons of mobile data and were otherwise sits I really wanted it wasn’t a problem for me but if your sit is rural, longer, maybe mainly attractive to digital nomads you are shooting yourself in the foot big time. The lack of trust and potential paranoia would also be a big red flag and I would be left wondering if neighbours would be taking notes of my comings and goings, if cameras would be hiding somewhere, how much I would be micromanaged etc and so I’d pass on that sit.
@tvillan28 giving access to your wi- fi does not give the sitter access to your personal online information such as online back accounts etc
Hi @tvillan28, what makes you hesitant to share your wifi? Letting someone use your wifi doesn’t give them any personal or sensitive information. Many sitters are working remotely while travelling and access to wifi will be a dealbreaker for them. Even sitters who are not working will likely expect to be able to get comfy and watch Netflix, etc. while they are staying at your home caring for your pets.
Sharing your wifi is safe, but if it makes you feel more comfortable you can create a guest account and give them a separate password so they can have their own login and not share yours.
Why? These things are not easy to understand. And there are always the scary warnings about not sharing passwords.
As others have already said, you are very unlikely to get good sitters if you don’t offer wifi. Or any applicants at all. It’s akin to telling a sitter they can’t use electricity. When we travel, we almost exclusively use whatsapp for communication with the homeowners. We rely on wifi and wouldn’t dream of taking a sit, no matter how perfect it might seem otherwise, if that weren’t available.
Do you require the sitter to send you photos of the pet?
I am currently on a sit with no internet connection at all and it’s quite refreshing! I am not a digital nomad nor do I “tele commute” so the data plan that I have on my phone is more than enough to send photos, messages etc to the HO and for my general use. I am in a rural area with a swimming pool, a TV to watch and catch up on shows, kangaroos hopping around 
a town a ten minute drive away if I want to go, everything I need.
It’s quite nice being free from the shackles of constant internet which one tends to look at when it’s there so not everyone needs to have it. THS has a diverse range of members and not everyone needs all the bells and whistles, though internet these days seems to be a “must have” and I understand for those of you who need it. If the advertised sit says no internet available, don’t apply, simple. Not saying I would like not to have it everywhere but I am very happy not having it here, at least for a while 
Some of us just enjoy where we are and what is happening around us. There is always someone to fit a particular sit, always.
Digital detox I think the term is 
Wifi is such a typical part of any accommodation now (THS, hotels, Airbnb, hostels, cafes, etc…) if you aren’t going to allow use of internet, be super clear. Put it in your listing and make sure to clarify to applicants via message / call. That would be an immediate pass for me. Better not to waste peoples time.
As a US based sitter in Europe and the UK, I work while I travel. High speed wifi is essential. I also need wifi to use my phone for calls. My plan includes unlimited international roaming but cellular calls cost me money.
If you ever want this on another sit, just ask the host to not share their WiFi password with you, LOL.
Good thought @Maggie8K lol But I do stress it isn’t something I would like at every sit, just sometimes if a sit looks good and has no internet, it isn’t the end of the world and can be quite good for the soul to just stop and smell the roses 
Personally I sit for the travel and not work so it suits me, but obviously not for everyone.