In some cases, neighbors or strangers may unintentionally or unknowingly use your Wi-Fi network without your permission. This can be concerning as it can result in slower connection speeds or potentially unauthorized activities on your network. It is important to be able to detect these unauthorized connections in order to protect your network and bandwidth.
One way to detect if your Wi-Fi is being stolen is by accessing the control panel of your router or by using specialized applications on your smartphone that can show you a list of devices connected to your network. Applications such as Fing, available on both the App Store and Google Play, can automatically scan your Wi-Fi network and provide you with information such as device names, IP addresses, and codes.
For Windows users, Wireless Network Watcher is a similar application to Fing that can scan and show connected devices on the network. Mac users can use LanScan for a similar purpose, which provides additional details such as the manufacturer and model of the connected devices. These tools allow for detailed control over the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network, ensuring efficient and secure management.
By being able to identify unauthorized connections on your Wi-Fi network, you can take the necessary steps to secure your network and prevent unauthorized access, ensuring a more reliable and secure Wi-Fi experience for yourself and your authorized users.