Is your internet suddenly running slow? Maybe your movies keep buffering. It might not be your internet provider. Someone else might be using your internet. Let us find out how to see who is on your WiFi and how to block them. It is much easier than you think. You do not need to be a computer expert to do this. I will walk you through the steps in this simple tech tutorial guide.
Find Out Who is on Your Network
How do we check for unwanted guests? You have two main ways. You can use a free app on your phone, or you can check your router settings. Using a phone app is the fastest way. Apps like Fing are free and very easy to use. Download Fing from your app store. Open the app and tap the scan button.
The app will scan your home network. It will show you a list of every device connected to your WiFi. You will see phones, TVs, laptops, and smart plugs. Look at the list carefully. Do you see any devices you do not recognize? Sometimes devices have strange names. A smart bulb might show up as a random string of numbers. That is normal. But if you see an unknown phone or computer, someone might be stealing your internet.
If you want to read more about managing your home network, you can check out simple tech tutorials online for more ideas.
Check Your Router Admin Page
The app is great, but your router is the boss. Your router knows exactly who is connected. Checking your router is the most accurate way to find intruders. To do this, you need to log into your router. Look at the sticker on the back or bottom of your router. It will have an IP address, which is a number like 192.168.1.1. It will also have a default username and password.
Open a web browser on your phone or computer. Type that IP address into the address bar. Press enter. You will see a login page. Enter the username and password from the sticker.
Once you are inside, look for a section called Device List, Connected Devices, or DHCP Client List. Every router is a bit different, but they all have this list. This list shows every single device using your internet right now. If you need help finding these settings, you should learn how to How to Set Up Your New Wi-Fi Router for Better Home Internet to understand the basics.
How to Block Unwanted Devices
So you found a device that does not belong to you. Now what? How do we kick them off? The easiest way to kick everyone off is to change your WiFi password. This is highly effective. Once you change the password, every device will get disconnected instantly. You will have to enter the new password on your own devices, but the intruder will be locked out.
To change your password, find the Wireless Settings or WiFi Security tab in your router admin page. Type in a new, strong password. Make sure it has letters, numbers, and symbols. What if you do not want to change your password? You can block specific devices using MAC address filtering.
Every device has a unique ID called a MAC address. Your router device list will show this address. It looks like a mix of letters and numbers separated by colons. Copy the MAC address of the intruder. Go to the security settings in your router and look for MAC Filtering or Block List. Paste the address there and click block. That specific device can never connect again, even if they know your password.
Keep Your WiFi Safe for the Future
Now your network is clean. How do we keep it that way? You can do a few easy things to protect your home internet. First, never keep the default router password. The default password is often printed on the side of the router. Anyone who visits your house can see it. Change it to something only you know.
Second, use WPA3 or WPA2 security. These are the modern standards for WiFi safety. You can select this in your router wireless settings. Never use WEP security, as it is very old and easy to hack.
Third, create a guest network. Most modern routers let you set up a second WiFi network just for guests. This keeps your main network private. Your friends can still get online, but they cannot see your personal devices.
Quick Tips to Try Today
Here are three simple things you can do right now to keep your network safe:
- Scan your network with a free app once a month to check for new devices.
- Write down your own devices so you know which names are safe.
- Turn off your router when you go on vacation to keep it completely safe.
Keeping your WiFi secure is simple. It takes just a few minutes of your time. Now go check your router and see who is using your internet!
