Do you needa new routeror is someone outside of your family using your Wi - Fi without you knowing ? There are lots of possible ground behinda dumb cyberspace link ( and solutions ) , but if you call back someone is steal your Wi - Fi , you ’ll take to know how to confirm if that ’s happening and how to stop it from happening again . In this guide , we ’ll show you how to do both .
As long as you have your medium access control ( MAC ) destination and an app or two , you may influence if someone is steal your Wi - Fi or if your connection is just dull . Here ’s how .
Try turning it off and on again
If you only have a few Wi - Fi twist in your menage , you may want to disconnect or plough them all off and then follow the wireless sign light on your router . If the light keep on to quiver , someone else is using your Wi - Fi .
However , this method only works if you could be sure that every wireless - capable gadget you have is power down , which may not be leisurely to do in many homes . So , we pose two in - depth methods for checking for Wi - Fi thief , no matter what setup you have . If you need a refresher course on wireless networking itself , then check out out our Wi - Fi overview .
Use an app
A act of apps are available to provide automatic search for strange gadget log into your Wi - Fi internet . Checking those devices , particularly if they ’re connecting at odd times of twenty-four hour period when no friend are over , can put up valuable clues . Here are a few apps that can help you pinpoint problem .
Check administrator logs
If you suspect that someone is stealing your Wi - Fi , you need to access to your router ’s governing body page . Most people can do this by typing192.168.1.1or192.168.2.1into the computer address bar .
Once you ’ve accessed the admin page , you ’ll call for to locate the varlet list the various MAC address connect to your computer . The fix of this page will differ calculate on your router , but you may find oneself it underWireless Configuration , Wireless Status , or in theDHCP Client list . you’re able to use this list to depend how many devices are connected to your internet . If you see six MAC addresses — any gadget connected to your mesh will have its own alone MAC address — but only have four gadget in your home , somebody is probably slip your internet .
mark : Old phone , play consoles , Wi - Fi - enable cameras , and other attached gimmick may show up on the MAC address list . you may get a right handle on which MAC destination represents which equipment by using a website like macvendors.com .
Tips for keeping outsiders away
If you distrust someone is stealing your Wi - Fi , it ’s a well idea to holler up certificate ( penalties for Wi - Fi theft deviate greatly , so consult local jurisprudence enforcement for follow - up ) . If you do n’t have a password on your internet , tot up one . If you still use the default router name and password , change it — you may do this from the admin Sir Frederick Handley Page on your router . Here ’s how .
whole step 1 : To change your countersign , bet for the pre - shared key in your security preferences . Changing your wireless password will kick off all current devices ( including those undesirable freeloader ) , so you ’ll have to reconnect your devices once you have a new word .
stair 2 : To change your router name , locate theService Set Identifier . This is typically ground in theWireless settingsmenu . await up more specific instructions for your specific brand of router if necessary .
footprint 3 : Lastly , it ’s authoritative to use the strongest wireless internet encryption available for consumer . Though WPA2 may be the most ordinarily used , WPA3 is the strongest . So you may want to start thinking about getting a router that features WPA3 .
If your router is outdated , you might not be able-bodied to see support for it anymore . As a result , you may not have access to surety feature such as these . If this is the lawsuit for you , it may be clip to consider purchasing a new router ( peculiarly with all the cool , new tech products come out ) .
Final tips to remove strangers from your Wi-Fi
It ’s essential to ensure that your Wi - Fi connecter is inviolable , as it can protect you from dangerous hackers and other threats lollygag on the internet . If unauthorized people are presently using your Wi - Fi , you do n’t require to fasten it while they have memory access , so you ’ll have to boot them off before you set out . The simplest thing you’re able to do in good order off the bat is change your parole to something more complicated , which will kick you and everyone else off your net
measure 1 : lumber back into your devices with your updated countersign , and the connection - leechers will be out of luck . Once you ’ve readjust your password , you belike wo n’t have anyone else using your Wi - Fi any longer , but you ’ll still want to check regularly to verify you own all of the gadget that are using your connection .
footstep 2 : There ’s also an additional way to block someone from using your Wi - Fi if you ’re able to track down the strange connecting machine . point to your router admin varlet and appear for an pick that readsMAC Filtering , gimmick Filtering , or something similar . This setting allows administrators to add specific MAC numbers pool to a blocked gadget inclination , which will keep them from get at your Wi - Fi mesh .
whole tone 3 : you could do this by selecting any unknown MAC numbers and inputting them into the list . There are also apps uncommitted to assist simplify this process for you . Google Nest Wi - Fi makes this super soft , permit you to choose a equipment on your internet and block it in a matter of a few simple-minded steps
Even if you block a equipment , you ’ll still need to on a regular basis check the equipment listed because hackers can use a different MAC address to reconnect to your internet . But if you ’re sick of people mooching off your connection , this can be a great solution .
