How can I tell if someone is using my WiFi?

Monitoring access to your secure home WiFi can reduce potential security threats, such as the theft of personal data, passwords, financial information or other sensitive details. When unauthorized devices connect to your WiFi, they may slow down your internet speed making it difficult to stream, play games online or browse the web.

Some of the most common signs an unauthorized user is on your network include:

• Slower internet speeds: If your internet is consistently poor, it might be because someone is using your network without permission.
• Unfamiliar devices on your network: Unknown devices are a clear sign of unauthorized access. Regularly check the list of connected devices in your router’s admin panel.
• Increased data usage: A sudden spike in data usage may indicate that someone else is using your WiFi.

Want to ensure your network stays secure? Check regularly for unauthorized devices on your WiFi network.

Follow this process to check what devices are connected to your WiFi using your router’s admin panel and mobile apps for network monitoring.

• First, make sure you have the admin credentials for your router. These are usually found on a label on the router or in the user manual.
• Log in to your router’s admin panel by entering the router’s IP address into a web browser. The default IP address is often printed on the router itself, but common addresses include 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
• Once logged in, navigate to the section that lists connected devices. Identify any unfamiliar devices by cross-referencing MAC addresses with the devices you own. If you find any unknown devices, you can disconnect them directly from this panel.

Router manufacturers offer mobile apps that make network monitoring easier. These apps can be downloaded from app stores and typically offer functionalities similar to the router’s admin panel.

For example, eero provides many network management options in their app.

Additionally, third-party apps can provide detailed information about each connected device, including device type, MAC address and IP address, making it easier to spot unauthorized devices on the network. When using mobile apps for network monitoring, ensure the app is from a trusted source and is compatible with your router model.

Staying proactive by monitoring your network can protect your data and make the internet safer for all the users in your household.

If you want to understand how bandwidth is being used, try analyzing your network traffic. You’ll also be able to identify any unusual patterns of activity that may indicate unauthorized access.

There are two primary methods for analyzing network traffic: using built-in router features and employing third-party software.

Most routers have built-in features for monitoring network traffic. To access these features, log into your router’s admin panel by entering its IP address into a web browser.

Navigate to the traffic analysis or network monitoring section. You’ll be able to see real-time data usage, view which devices are consuming the most bandwidth and identify any unusual spikes in traffic.

Some routers also provide detailed logs that track the activity of connected devices over time. Regularly review the traffic logs to spot any irregularities early.

Third-party software tools may provide richer network traffic analysis than default routers.

Some third-party providers even offer detailed packet inspection, historical data analysis and real-time suspicious activity alerts. These tools can help you understand the type of traffic on your network, identify bandwidth hogs and detect security threats.

When using trusted third-party software, familiarize yourself with the tool’s features and settings. You may need to learn about network protocols and traffic patterns to interpret your data.

Now, we’ll cover steps you can take to enhance your WiFi security, including changing your WiFi password, enabling network encryption, setting up a guest network and updating your router’s firmware.

Changing your WiFi password regularly is fundamental. Default passwords provided by manufacturers are often weak and widely known, making them vulnerable to hacking. To change your WiFi password:

1. Access your router’s admin panel by entering the IP address into a browser and log in.
2. Navigate to the wireless settings section and update your password to a strong, unique combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
3. Regularly update your password to reduce your risk of unauthorized access.

While you’re changing your WiFi password, consider changing your default administrative credentials used to access your router settings. These are often easy targets for hackers. You may want to do this when you first set up your home WiFi.

Network encryption is essential for protecting the data transmitted over your WiFi network. Check your router’s settings to confirm you’re using WPA3 encryption. To enable encryption:

1. Access your router’s admin panel and navigate to the security settings.
2. Select WPA3 as the encryption method and save the changes.
3. If your router doesn’t support WPA3, opt for WPA2.

Encryption helps prevent your data being intercepted and keeps your network secure.

Taking time to set up guest WiFi is an effective way to provide internet access to visitors without compromising the security of your main network. A guest network is isolated from your primary network, ensuring that guests cannot access your personal data or connected devices. To set up a guest network:

1. Log into your router’s admin panel and look for the guest network settings.
2. Configure a separate SSID (network name) and password for the guest network.
3. Set usage restrictions to manage bandwidth and improve overall network performance, if needed.

A guest network keeps guest devices away from your main network and gives you more control and visibility into how guests use your network.

Astound’s Whole Home WiFi with eero subscription includes eero Secure at no additional charge. eero Secure allows you to create a guest network and also includes additional security features like parental controls and ad blocking.

Keeping your router’s firmware up-to-date is critical. Firmware updates include security patches that protect against new threats, bug fixes and performance upgrades. These updates may also include new features as well as monitoring and diagnostic tools. To update your router’s firmware:

1. Check the manufacturer’s website or your ISP’s website for the latest version.
2. Download and install the update via the router’s admin panel.

Regularly changing your WiFi password, enabling strong encryption, setting up a guest network and keeping your router’s firmware updated are essential practices for maintaining a secure and reliable home network.

If you’ve already completed the tips above and are still experiencing issues, try implementing more advanced security measures, such as MAC address filtering, disabling WPS and using a VPN across your WiFi network.

MAC address filtering can enhance the security of your WiFi network by restricting which devices can connect to it. Every device in your household has a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address. By using a “whitelist” of approved devices, you can prevent unauthorized devices from accessing your network. To enable MAC address filtering:

1. Log into your router’s admin panel.
2. Navigate to the security settings.
3. Find the MAC filtering option.
4. Enter the MAC addresses of all your devices that you want to allow on the network.

While MAC address filtering adds a layer of security, remember that MAC addresses can be spoofed by determined hackers.

WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) is a feature designed to make it easier to connect devices to your WiFi network by simply pressing a button on the router.

This convenience comes at the cost of security. WPS can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to your network.

To disable WPS, access your router’s admin panel, navigate to the WPS settings and turn off the feature. Disabling WPS eliminates this potential vulnerability, making your network more secure against brute force attacks and other security threats.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides an additional layer of security by encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address. Under a VPN, all data transmitted between your device and the internet is secure and private.

Using a VPN is important if you’re accessing sensitive information, such as online banking or work-related data. To use a VPN, subscribe to a VPN service, install the VPN software on your devices and activate it whenever you connect to the internet.

Astound’s eero Plus subscription offers a VPN in addition to security features like malware protection and a password manager.

Keeping an eye on your WiFi network can protect your personal information and maintain your network’s integrity. Regularly check for unfamiliar devices and unusual activity to spot unauthorized users.

Change your WiFi password often, use strong encryption, set up a guest network and update your router’s firmware.

If needed, advanced measures like MAC address filtering, disabling WPS and a VPN can offer extra protection. By following these steps, you can keep your home network safe and secure, making sure only authorized users have access.