I'm at a popular city park with the kids. One of the tougher looking older teenagers (maybe early to mid 20's) approaches me and asks if he can use my "hotspot."

I declined, and he went to the next parent with kids, I assume making the same request.

Was this an innocent request, or is there some scam associated with this?

All I could think of is if he downloaded or uploaded some illegal images then it would trace back to me.

but is there more to it???? If it's a scam I'm unfamiliar with it. I don't think he can get personal info off my phone with this method, but I have no idea.

I like to help people out, but something just didn't feel right about it. Maybe it was his demeanor, but alarms were starting to go off in my head. The tough looking teens normally avoid me.

You are not crazy or a bad person.

A lot of bad things can happen when someone joins your network, or if you join someone else's.

In the same situation my response would be "hell no, get your own, and don't be such a sleaze bag".

Gotta learn manners.

My response would've been no as well.
Question is, how did he know you have a hotspot?

In my case, for some unknown reason, hotspot is disabled by ATT on my phone.

quote:

In my case, for some unknown reason, hotspot is disabled by ATT on my phone.

Most probably because it's added service they charge for...

Decline. If he hits sites FBI are monitoring (kiddy porn, ect), it is your phone that will be on the warrant.

And he’s trying to be a worthless sponge, too.

quote:

I'm at a popular city park with the kids. One of the tougher looking older teenagers (maybe early to mid 20's) approaches me and asks if he can use my "hotspot."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Should have told him that only your wife can use your hotspot.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if "sharing" data plans was not commonplace among the slacker culture.

My response? "Sure, I don't mind, the SSID is hack-central and the password is its-not-my-data-dude. By the way, do you have any interesting stuff, like pics of your girlfriend naked, or your banking login on your phone? You don't have to answer, I'll know soon enough."

Just tell him your phone is supplied by a government agency and it might not be a good idea to use it’s hotspot.

Go into settings, hotspot make sure your hotspot is turned off, no need to broadcast it, even it it's password protected anyway.

Also could be scam, could be someone without a data plan, maybe no cellular looking for a way to get online, using you, maybe nefarious maybe not

But you did the right thing.

quote:

Sir, Can I Use Your Hotspot?

No.

Might have been harmless, but the chance for mayhem is too high. Tell him to go to the library for free internet.

No hotspots but you can touch my monkey…

0-0

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Might have been harmless, but the chance for mayhem is too high. Tell him to go to the library for free internet.

Lots of Mickey Ds you get full bars sitting in the parking lot.

Kid probably already maxed out on his monthly data allowance.

quote:

tougher looking older teenagers (maybe early to mid 20's)

Someone in their early to early 20s is no teenager, so more likely to fall in the categories mentioned above.

^^^^^^^

Or for reasons known only to him doesn't want his personal IP address tagged to the communication?

In a nearby jurisdiction, sex offenders on probation/parole/etc are commonly prohibited by their supervision terms from having internet access or broadband wireless devices (like basically any smart phone.) It gets expensive for some of them, since a) they do have phones anyway and b) they smash them as soon as the red/blue lights come on in the rear-view mirror to avoid a violation charge.

The intensive supervision POs and the Megans Law investigators have learned to drop in on public internet terminals at the local libraries (the number one choice for registrants who can't get caught with that stuff at home) and also to check with the neighbors to see if Chester asked them for a WiFi password. They report that the number of people who are OK with the creepy dude next door using their WiFi is terrifyingly high.

quote:

Originally posted by 0-0:
No hotspots but you can touch my monkey…

 
I always use my hotspot in USB mode only, since I always have my phone and laptop together. No broadcast signal.