Today, almost everything we do depends on an Internet connection. Therefore, notice that the house wifi is slower than usual can be more than a simple discomfort: it could be a sign that Someone has connected without permission.
Although it sounds alarming, discovering if someone is using your network is easier than it seems and taking measures on time can protect both your navigation speed and the Safety of your personal data.
Some pages that do not load, the Videos that constantly freeze or the games that go late can be the first indications. It may be due to a saturation of the network, a technical breakdown or that a neighbor or unknown has found a way to sneak into your wifi.
Other signals include intermittent cuts or Impossibility of connecting new devices Despite being within the router’s reach. In addition, if your router has LED lights that indicate data traffic and they flash even when you do not use any device, something weird is happening.
How to know who is connected to your network
The first step to investigate is to access the router control panel. It is not necessary to be an expert: you just have to write in the browser the IP address of the deviceusually something like 192,168.1.1, and enter with access credentials (which are usually in a sticker on the router itself).
Once inside, look for sections such as ‘Connected devices’ either ‘Network map’. There you will see all the connected devices, together with its name, IP address and, in many cases, its MAC address (a kind of unique digital registration number for each equipment). If you find an unknown device, it is very likely to be an intruder.
Those who prefer a more visual and direct solution can use apps such as Finger or wifimanwhich show on your mobile all devices connected to the network. For computers, there are tools such as Advanced IP Scannerwhich offer more technical information and even allow you to establish alerts to detect new connections.
Once the strange apparatus is identified, it is time to act. You can block your MAC address from the router menu, in sections such as ‘Access control’ or ‘Mac filter’. This will prevent it from connecting again. Although It is not infallible (Advanced users can falsify these addresses), it serves as an initial measure.
The most direct and effective option is Change the Wi -Fi password. Thus, all devices will be disconnected immediately and only those who share the new key will be connected again. Of course, be sure to create a robust password, with a combination of capital letters, lowercase, numbers and symbols.
If everything fails or you are not sure of the changes you made, You can restore the router to its factory configuration. This eliminates any unauthorized access and allows you to start from zero with newly strict credentials and security measures.