Today, Wi-Fi is available in almost every home, office, shopping and entertainment center. Thanks to Wi-Fi networks, people can easily connect to the Internet when they need it. Free wireless access is, of course, convenient, but at the same time, the owners of the routers are often worried and ask the question: “How do I find out who connected to my WIFI?” This problem is quite relevant today, so it is important to understand all the nuances.
Depending on the model, the router may have a log of work. But finding useful information there is quite problematic. The easiest way is to look at the current status and determine how many connected devices are. But this method is not entirely reliable, since it displays information in a given period of time.
What should alert the owners of the router?
Users who access the Internet through a Wi-Fi connection should be wary if they encounter such situations:
- Decrease in data transfer rate. The reasons for this phenomenon can be many, but it is more expedient to make sure that the low speed is not caused by connected foreign devices.
- Active blinking indicator. Usually this happens at a time when there is an exchange of information with the Internet. If all the "legal" devices are currently not working, and the light is still on, the user should be wary.
Table of connected equipment
Some users use the following method to help answer the question: “How do I find out who connected to my WIFI?” To quickly check whether unscrupulous users have connected to Wi-Fi, you can use the method of viewing the technology table. To do this, enter the IP address in the browser bar, and then run the shell. You can do this this way: go to the "Start" menu, then select "Search", type "cmd" and enter "Enter". Then you need to run the ipconfig command. The address of the router will be displayed next to Default Gateway.
After entering the login and password in the window that opens, you can see a list of devices that connect to the router. If the IP and MAC addresses are unfamiliar, you must block these users. If necessary, you can limit it to a certain time.
How to find out who is connected to Wi-Fi using the router settings?
This method is quite simple. When the owner of the router is overwhelmed with thoughts on how to check if someone has connected to my WIFI, you need to go into the settings and select the appropriate tab. All information will be displayed there.
To enter the settings panel, you need to enter the numbers indicated on the back of the router in the address bar of the browser. They may differ, depending on the model of the device, but most often it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Also numbers, login and password can be found in the technical documentation.
When all the data is entered, you need to click OK and go to the settings of the router. First you need to enter the "Basic Settings" section, then in the "Wireless Mode" menu and select "Wireless Statistics". On the right side of the window that opens, you can see the number of stations connected to Wi-Fi. In these statistics, you can see the MAC address of the devices, the total number of packets and the type of encryption.
Experienced owners of routers know that they can solve the problem: “Check if anyone connected to my wifi” using a cable. To do this, there is a “DHCP” tab, there you need to find the item “DHCP Client List”. If there are connected devices, not only their MAC address will be displayed, but also the IP address.
How to block someone else's MAC address?
If, in search of an answer to the question: “Who connected to my WIFI?” the owner has detected someone else's connections, the MAC address must be blocked. It is not difficult to do this, it is enough to filter foreign devices. To do this, go to the "MAC Address Filtering" section and select "Enable". Next, set the button on the first parameter. After that, you can add someone else's address and save all the changes. This measure will block access to the Internet, and third-party devices will no longer be able to use Wi-Fi.
How to set a password on Wi-Fi?
To protect yourself from other users, it is advisable to close Wi-Fi with a password. Then access to the Internet will be limited, and the owner will get rid of problems such as, for example, low data transfer speed.
It is necessary to select a password with great responsibility, so that it is difficult to guess. A simple and predictable cipher is unlikely to become an obstacle to connecting unscrupulous third-party users.
In a password, it is desirable to combine large and small letters, numbers and punctuation marks. It is advisable to make it as long as possible.
LAN Scan
There is another way to find out who connected to my WIFI. It consists in scanning the local network. You must enter the IP address of the laptop or computer and select the nearest range. After verification, two addresses should be displayed: the connected device and the modem. If there are more of them, this indicates that other people's devices are connected to Wi-Fi.
Some users use WEP encryption, but this method is not reliable. There are programs that allow you to crack protection and connect to the Internet. WPA is a stronger barrier, but not all older router models support this protocol.
Wireless network watcher
It will be useful for users to know that there is a program for verification. Who is connected to my WIFI can be determined using the Wireless Network Watcher. It is better to download the utility from the official site in order to avoid various fakes.
You must run the program from the device that will be connected to the router. Otherwise, there will be no benefit from the Wireless Network Watcher. After scanning, you can see not only the number of connected devices, but also their MAC addresses, and even the name of the manufacturer.
But disconnecting unscrupulous users through the program will not work. To do this, go to the settings of the router and block addresses. Professionals use a special utility that allows you to determine the location of the connected device with an accuracy of several meters.
There are many ways to find out who connected to my WIFI, and each user can choose the one that suits him.