We hear a lot about protecting individuals from the internet – about spam email, viruses, online banking fraud and worse, and hopefully, most of us are fairly security conscious these days.

However there is another aspect of internet security that can have a direct impact on families who host, and something which tends to be forgotten, and that is the visitor’s use of your internet (using either your computer or their own).

Here comes the science bit…..

Every internet connection is linked to an ‘IP address’ belonging to your internet service provider (ISP). Whenever your computer connects to the internet it is by using that IP address. Theoretically this means that your internet service provider could be legally forced to release details of users registered to specific IP addresses and anything you do on the internet could be tracked. This is what the police do when investigating criminals – but it is not something you or I would, or could, do.

This information becomes much more relevant though when you are downloading from or uploading to the internet. It means that any downloads – music, pictures, videos, films can be traced to the IP address and anything you upload will be uploaded from that IP address.

So … if you download or upload illegally or inappropriately it could eventually be tracked back to your internet connection.

The reason…

I am telling you this is there have been several instances of homestay visitors using the host’s internet and doing just this. The visitor has then gone home, leaving the host to face the consequences! Depending on what has been downloaded or uploaded the consequences could range from nothing, to a fine or even arrest!

There have been instances of visitors illegally downloading films and music and one visitor downloaded pornographic material! All this without the knowledge of the host.

Also….

If you use a wireless internet connection there will still be an IP address. Not only do you need to be aware of people within your own home downloading or uploading, on your computer or their own, but also be sure that your wireless connection is secure and that the rest of your street aren’t using your wireless connection too – for whatever purpose!

What to do…..

At EIL we would recommend that you are very aware of what your visitor is doing on your internet. Most visitors will want to check their email while in the country, but this could be done at the local library, internet café or school.

Visitors should not be spending hours on the internet, unless they are undertaking a research project – and why are they doing that in your home?

Consider putting a password onto your internet connection – there have been visitors who access the internet during the night, or at times when the hosts are out of the house – at work or social activities. At least with a password it means that connection to the internet is more controlled. (Remember though, don’t tell anybody the password.) By putting a password on the internet connection the visitor can still use the computer to write up their research, but need you to log them in to allow them to actually use the internet.

You could also increase the security setting for your internet access – meaning that certain sites or types of sites are inaccessible – this is what the local library, internet café or school would do. You might need to search the internet to find out how to do some of these things – but it could be well worth your while.

Discouraging your visitor from spending long hours on the internet can help in several ways. Firstly, it can reduce the chances of your internet being used inappropriately. Secondly, it encourages the visitor to spend their time doing other things – hopefully more social things, enhancing their stay. Thirdly, the internet is a decidedly mixed blessing, used appropriately it is probably one of the greatest communication tools ever invented, but used inappropriately it could be viewed as the devil’s toy!

You can download a copy of this document here.