I used to be oblivious. Then I started hanging out with hackers, cyber activists, and security experts. Slowly, but surely, I became more aware and more proactive about my privacy. My emails: usually encrypted. My connection: often through VPN.

So when a new neighbour asks the innocent:
“hey, do you mind sharing your WiFi?” — things get kind of awkward.

To make it more uncomfortable, here’s my metaphor for confronting these new types of people in your life:

Sharing WiFi day and night with someone, is like having sex without a condom.

Why?

• I don’t know you. I don’t know your browsing habits. I don’t know “where that thing has been” and I don’t know where it’s going to be.
• I really don’t feel like taking extra precautions from my side, just to make sure I don’t “get pregnant”.
• Honestly, I think it’s too early — I don’t know you that well.

I don’t mind sharing my WiFi with people I trust — I know where their things have been. But in this day and age with snooping governments and organisations (let’s call them STDs), you cannot be too careful.

So please, use a condom: get your own damn WiFi.