Do you know who is using the Wi-Fi network connected to your router? To find out, check the list of gadgets linked to your Wi-Fi network on your router or computer. Remember that many devices today connect to your Wi-Fi. Laptops, mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, Wi-Fi printers, and other devices will be included on the list.
Ways to Check Who Is Using Network
1. Analyze the use of network data
You may check the total quantity of data that has passed across your network over several time intervals, including real-time, today, this week, and this month, using Nest Wifi and Google Wifi.
2. Review Your Router’s Settings
If you’re lucky, you can identify every item on the list, but there might be a couple that lacks sufficient details. For instance, after reading through my list, I was left with a few gadgets that had no maker or name indicated. However, the web interface for my router allowed me to access a little bit more data.
By entering your router’s IP address in the address bar of your browser, you can access its control page. Once there, look for a choice such as Client List or Attached Devices. This will show you a list that is comparable to Wireless Network Watchers, albeit the data might be slightly different.
3. Increase Network Security
If you don’t already, you must create a strong password right away if you don’t already. Your personal information is accessible to every inexperienced hacker who drives by if you don’t have a password. Select WPA2 as your password type because it is much harder to hack than the out-of-date WEP.
Verify that WPS is not active. Turn this feature off if it’s currently on as it makes it simpler for people to guess your Wi-Fi password. You may always enable your router’s guest network or just wirelessly distribute the password if you want to allow visitors access to your Wi-Fi without giving them access to your devices and data.
4. Finding the Connected Devices List
You’ll now need to find the option someplace in the web interface of your router. Search for a button or link with a name like “attached devices,” “connected devices,” or “DHCP clients.” This may be found on the Wi-Fi settings page or on a status page of some kind. To save you some clicks, the list of connected devices on some routers may be printed on the main status page.
5. Recognizing the List
Many routers merely display a list of the DHCP-connected devices. In other words, if a device has a static IP setting, it won’t show up on the list. Remember that!
You’ll typically find that every router in the list has comparable information when you first open it. Your interface most likely displays a table listing connected devices together with their MAC addresses and “host names” on the network.
How to stop WiFi intruders in the future?
There is not much you can do to determine who the owner of a gadget is if you discover one that is not yours. But if you change your password and keep it a secret, you can easily disconnect them.
Uncertain about how to modify your password? The router settings page we previously covered is often where this is done, although some manufacturers or service providers also offer apps or websites where you can make adjustments.
After comparing the two, I saw that Wireless Network Watcher did not have one of the unidentified devices labeled as “AzureWave Technology, Inc” in the router’s interface. I was able to write that down and continue when a web search revealed that this was actually my Rachio sprinkler system.
Final Words
Once more, you don’t really need to worry about this all the time. You can feel quite secure if you’re using WPA2-PSK encryption, or better still, WPA3, with a strong passphrase. It’s improbable that someone will use your Wi-Fi without your consent. You can always simply modify your Wi-Fi’s passphrase if you’re concerned that this is happening for some reason; of course, you’ll need to re-enter it on all of your authorized devices. Before you do this, make sure WPS is turned off because WPS is weak and attackers might use it to reconnect to your network without the passphrase.
FAQ
1. Can I view what other people on my wifi are viewing?
Your surfing history is accessible to anyone with access to your Wi-Fi router’s admin panel, whether they are at home, at work, or at school. The majority of contemporary routers keep track of the IP addresses, connected devices, event timestamps, bandwidth used, and visited website URLs.
2. How Do I Know Who Is Using My WiFi?
Checking the router’s logs is by far the simplest technique to find out who is currently using your WiFi. Almost all routers maintain some kind of log of previous and current connections, often listing the name and IP address of each connected device.
3. Can I block a user from accessing my WiFi?
Changing the password is another approach to blocking someone from using your WiFi network. This will make it impossible for anyone to access your network unless they are in possession of the new password. You must get into your router’s settings in order to change your WiFi password (you may do this by entering your router’s IP address into a web browser).
4. How to delete WiFi history on a monthly basis?
To find out how long the default option for saving IP addresses or system logs is on your router, consult its handbook. Depending on how often you use it, it can last for hours, weeks, or even months.
5. Does WiFi keep a history log?
So, is WiFi able to record websites visited? The reply is a resounding “Yes!” WiFi service providers can check these logs to view WiFi browsing history because routers preserve records of WiFi history. WiFi administrators have access to your browsing history and can potentially intercept your private information using a packet sniffer.
6. Can WiFi be used to track a phone?
Yes, WiFi may be used to track a phone. Your phone displays its specific MAC address while connecting to a WiFi network. Location-based services can triangulate your position by observing WiFi signals.