Hidden on Same WiFi Network?

[Raia1]

My landlord provides internet for the whole building and they have their own ARLO essential wire-free cameras installed. Is there a way I can install MY OWN Arlo camera(s) and have them hidden and not detected by my landlord using the same WiFi network their cameras are on?

[StephenB]

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@Raia1 wrote:
 Is there a way I can install MY OWN Arlo camera(s) and have them hidden and not detected by my landlord using the same WiFi network their cameras are on?

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One option is to get a camera model that connects to your home wifi (instead of a base/smarthub).  All Arlo Essential models and the Pro 4 can do this. 

If you were to use a base station/smarthub, it would create its own Arlo closed network - it wouldn't share the landlord's.  The landlord could detect it with a wifi scanner, but would not be able to see it in their Arlo app.  

[Raia1]

Thanks StephenB. They have Essential Spotlight cams and I would like to install the same but don’t want the extra cost of a smarthub/base station. If I’m understanding correctly, I CAN set mine up on the SAME WIFI so they can’t see my cameras on the same WiFi network? (Unless they buy a WiFi scanner/hidden device detector?). They being the landlords are of course the WiFi account administrators, etc. I appreciate your input!

[StephenB]

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@Raia1 wrote:
If I’m understanding correctly, I CAN set mine up on the SAME WIFI so they can’t see my cameras on the same WiFi network? 

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FYI, I missed the bit about the landlord providing the internet as well. 

All the cameras can connect to your existing home WiFi network.  It needs to include the 2.4 gHz band (which shouldn't be a problem), and the network needs to be encrypted using WPA2-PSK.  If your landlord-provided wifi requires you to log in, then the cameras won't connect (at they will get stuck on the login screen).

If you connect to the landlord's wifi, then the landlord will of course be able to see all the devices at the router.  With effort, they can identify the cameras as Arlo, but they would not be able to access or manage them.

If you have an ethernet drop in your unit, you could connect your own home router to it (setting up a parallel wifi network).  Then connect the cameras to that.  The router would show up on the landlord's network, but the cameras would not - the home router would hide them.

On the base station - it does need to connect with ethernet.  

[Raia1]

Thanks for the reply! Yes it’s 2.4 gHz and there is a username and password, HOWEVER the username and password is the SAME for everyone, including the landlord. I don’t know why they set it up this way, but it is what it is (to use their WiFi internet.) Would they then still be able to see my cameras? Would there be a way to “hide” them from them? I don’t have ability to attach my own router via Ethernet unfortunately. Thanks for answering this issue!

[StephenB]

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@Raia1 wrote:
 there is a username and password, HOWEVER the username and password is the SAME for everyone, including the landlord.

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That will get in the way here - there is no way to tell the cameras what username/password to use.  You can only give them the network name and the network password.