If you are experiencing low-speed internet on your WiFi Network then there is a possibility that someone is stealing it. Here’s our how-to guide to find-out if someone is stealing your WiFi and how to stop them.
Check Your Wireless Router Lights
Wireless routers have indicator lights that blinks if there is any wireless activity(s) happening with the router. So one way to find out if anyone is using your WiFi is to shut down all wireless devices and see if lights are still blinking. The problem with this is that you may forget to switch of other WiFi devices like gaming consoles or smartphones, therefore, this technique doesn’t give you correct information.
If the 1st method doesn’t work, then router’s admin console can help you find more about your wireless network activity. To log into admin panel of your router you have to find the router’s IP address. You can find your IP address
Type the IP address in browser window. You’ll be prompted to login to you router. Enter login and password (usually written on router documentation) to login. Now, the first thing you must do is to change the password of router’s admin panel.
After that look for a “Connected Devices” section which provides a list of Device names, IP & MAC addresses. Compare those addresses with your device’s address. If the address doesn’t match then it means an unauthorized device is using your WiFi.
What to do if you find an Unauthorized Device?
As mentioned above, changing your password will prevent other users to use your network unless they provide a new security key(which matches yours). The IP & MAC addresses are not enough to find the location of stealers. If you want more information about them try the detective method.
Check Your Wireless Router Lights
Wireless routers have indicator lights that blinks if there is any wireless activity(s) happening with the router. So one way to find out if anyone is using your WiFi is to shut down all wireless devices and see if lights are still blinking. The problem with this is that you may forget to switch of other WiFi devices like gaming consoles or smartphones, therefore, this technique doesn’t give you correct information.
Network Admin Method: Check Your Router Device List
If the 1st method doesn’t work, then router’s admin console can help you find more about your wireless network activity. To log into admin panel of your router you have to find the router’s IP address. You can find your IP address
On Windows:
Type ipconfig in windows command prompt.On Mac:
Open Network Preference pane, you can see the IP address listed next to “Router”.Type the IP address in browser window. You’ll be prompted to login to you router. Enter login and password (usually written on router documentation) to login. Now, the first thing you must do is to change the password of router’s admin panel.
After that look for a “Connected Devices” section which provides a list of Device names, IP & MAC addresses. Compare those addresses with your device’s address. If the address doesn’t match then it means an unauthorized device is using your WiFi.
What to do if you find an Unauthorized Device?
As mentioned above, changing your password will prevent other users to use your network unless they provide a new security key(which matches yours). The IP & MAC addresses are not enough to find the location of stealers. If you want more information about them try the detective method.
