Here's how to see who's stealing your Wi-Fi and block them
There are many reasons why your Wi-Fi connection might be slower than usual. Most are completely innocent, but it could be that someone is using it without your permission. In this article, we'll show you how to find out exactly who you're sharing your Wi-Fi network with, and how to kick any intruders off it forever.
Jump to section:
- Is someone using my Wi-Fi? Find out the low-tech way
- Who is using my Wi-Fi? The high-tech method
- How to block trespassing devices from your Wi-Fi network
Is someone using my Wi-Fi? Find out the low-tech way
There is a way to check if someone is stealing your Wi-Fi without using much tech at all. Your wireless router should have little blinking lights to indicate that there is activity. What you'll want to do is disconnect every device that would normally be connected to it. That means all smartphones, laptops, any smart TVs and games consoles and anything else with a Wi-Fi connection.
If the lights are still blinking, there's a very good chance someone is connected to your router and stealing your Wi-Fi. If disconnecting all your devices seems like too much hassle, there is another way.
Who is using my Wi-Fi? The high-tech method
To find out who's using your Wi-Fi, the first thing you need to do is make sure you're connected to the Wi-Fi network you wish to monitor. Next, download the network monitoring app Fing from the Play Store or the App Store.
Once you've downloaded the app, open it, and you will see the name of your network on the home screen, along with the Refresh and Settings buttons. To see all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network, tap Refresh.
This process could take a few minutes, but afterwards you will see a list of devices, along with an indicator that tells you if it's a smartphone, PC, or another device.
Tap any device on your network to bring up a list of options for interacting with that device. These include sending pings or Wake on LAN signals, and you can even log when those devices connect and disconnect from the network.
How to block trespassing devices
If one of the devices connected to your network is unfamiliar or suspicious, you can block it forever. Fing shows you the MAC address of each device connected to your network (the number will follow this format and be made up of numbers and letters: 'xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx'). Make a note of this number.
- On the computer that is connected to your router, enter your router IP into the browser, then enter your router login details on the next page (to find out your router IP, use this guide)
- Once logged into your router, find the Security options (its location varies between routers and may be located under Advanced Settings)
- In Security, click MAC Filtering, then Add Device
- Enter the MAC address of the device you want to ban in the MAC field, give it a name if there is such an option, then click Apply, Save or OK
- While you're logged into your router, it might also be worth changing your Wi-Fi password, seeing as your last one may have been compromised.
That's all there is to it. Have you used this method to find out who is using your Wi-Fi? Let us know in the comments.
This is so very helpful. Thank you very much. By the way I have been using Fing for months. It works very well.
This suppose that the hackers do not have copied MAC addresses. What solution are available when MAC addresses are compromised?
To expand on my question re is it illegal? He's prevented me from calling out, receiving calls from my doctors offices, along with deleted my VM's. He's being more than cruel. More than just stealing my
Wi-Fi!!!!! BTW it is obvious what I'm saying as he's in Michigan and I'm in Florida.
Is it illegal to Wi-Fi tap?? Especially if is done by an abusive ex-husband, 3 DV convictions?
If you set up your wifi and wifirouter with strong passwords you will not have tot be worried someone is "stealing" your wifi.
I found a much better one named 「block wifi thief」 ,besides see who's on the network,also can block the freeloaders off
There is bug in this product , it doesnt identify my laptop though its connected to the same network.
Mac filtering it's useless and way too tedious to apply.. If someone it's smart enough to find out your wifi password mac spoofing takes just few seconds to be done.
I found similar app which functionally is just that no other bloat in the app. get it here play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.speednethalvad.whoisinmywifi
This don't works proper. When i scan he only find my router, my phone, and laptop and i can't see my other 3 phones connected + i can't kick them from network.
Any wifi signal is vulnerable to experienced hackers. The more secure you make it only adds to the thrill and determination. When a friend of mine showed me just how easy it is and the havoc he could wreak I have been ethernet all the way since. I could barely get a connection sitting on the front porch yet he hacked it ( easily ) over 2 miles away.
But surely there are times in your life where Ethernet is not applicable. What then?
For those who don't understand how to use it, Google is your best friend!
very informative
Thank you for your contribution
Start with a HIDDEN SSID, and a good passphrase; then nobody who isn't authorized will be hopping on your network. You might want to pick a less congested channel, not relying on AUTO, so there is less chance of RF noise, causing Error Correction to repeat things.
Quite a useful post, thanks!
yes i agree
Thanks, this is a useful tool... I also installed Wifi analyser... next to it, great tool as well...!
Why did you publish this article, my neighbor has just blocked me from using his wifi.
Good to buy your own damn wifi--Ya Thief
I was temporarily "creeped out" by a strong nearby wifi signal that seemed to be following my channel choice, so it was always overlapping mine on Wifi Analyzer. I phoned the ISP and the tech said it was unlikely a stranger could get into a WPA-encrypted connection without the password - changing that would require resetting every device in the house. I found the Fing Tool and it came up negative for intruders. This blocking idea looks good if the router supports blacklisting (instead of only whitelisting, which seems the case for some other readers) but if there were an intruder I'd take the trouble to change the password, too.
You can do the same on most routers directly.
it has been 3 days that this android phone is free;y connecting in my broadband, it slows down theconnection and the same time as many times I change the network name and password it can till freely connect so I tried doing it what you have instructed and it really works. Thanks for the help.
Can i block the unknown device using my tablet?
I did everything the same way but its a hit and miss, sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt, what to do?
Hi,for my intenet connection im not using a router since its a wireless connection, so how doi block them?? TQ:)
i got to my wifi setup wizard but it says this.-
If you enable the MAC Address Access Control mode, if enabled, hosts with MAC addresses contained in the access control list are allowed to access to the router.
Enter the MAC address of the management station allowed to access the router, and click "Apply".
What to do after copying mac address
Enter it in Mac filtering to block the user
What is the MAC FILTERING and where could i get that?
which wifi router do u use
how can i know if its a pc or a mobile?
In fing network tools we can see an icon which states if it is a pc or smartphone
At the side shows mobile or pc
I went to security but I couldn't find mac address
Go to "wirelles>security" add mac adress and enable mac filtering.
Full instructions please?
I don't really get it
I will block my naughty neighbour!!
One other simple way to keep them off your network is to go into your router settings where you set your network name and password and check the box to hide your SSID. Then your network won't even show up on their device. If you do that then just change your password and you are good to go. Only downside is that if you want to add a device to your network you have to manually enter your SSID before connecting because it will not automatically show up.
By the way, thanks for publishing this article. I got tired of the IT world as a technician some years ago, so I quite and became a mortal IT user. It feels quite good to get back in control.
well, i did it MAC filter to block the trespassers.. but now there is apps for android to change the MAC addresss of the android phone.. then can connect it again .
There's an option to set white and black lists in many routers. All You need is to enable your filtering by white list, then introduce your devices' MAC adresses one by one. No one else will be able to use your WiFi.
There's an option to set white and black lists in many routers. All You need is to enable your filtering by white list, then introduce your devices' MAC adresses one by one. No one else will be able to use your WiFi.
i am aware of the devices that are connected to my network but for some reason Fing only finds my pc, the droid in running fring on and my PS4. it for some reason doesnt find my iphone, ipad or my neighbors laptop who i know is on my network. can someone please explain to me what i am doing wrong. thank you
Wifi-kill app, but it requires rooted android phone
Wifikill doesnt work...i grab and kill all ip that connected on my wifi but they can continue using the net..its useless to use wifikill...
Thanks for this article. I successfully blocked 2-3 trespassers who were using my wifi connection.
Thanks Sofia! I erased the duplicate messages for you! I'm glad you caught the trespassers! :)
Thanks Loie :)
Hey how did you blocked them because I don't really get what to do can you please help