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Is your internet moving a little slower than usual? Are you seeing hints of devices you don't recognize in File Explorer, or when you cast media to your TV? If you suspect a neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi, you have a problem.
You may ask why it's a problem if someone is watching Netflix on your internet, but the issues are obvious. It's possible you won't have enough bandwidth for all your streaming and there's, and if they are illegally downloading movies, the ISP will blame you!
Even if you have the bandwidth to spare, you don't want a neighbor access your network, and all the computers on that network. They could access files you are unknowingly sharing, infect you with malware, or even steal your passwords and other personal information.
In order to avoid all this, you should take care to make sure each device connected to your network is one you trust. Thankfully, there are free tools that will help you see everyone on your Wi-Fi right now. Here is how to check for freeloaders, and boot them off.
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See Who's On Your Network
Windows users can download a free, portable program called Wireless Network Watcher. Scroll down to the Feedback section, then click Download Wireless Network Watcher (In Zip file) to install the program. It will provide a list of every device currently connected to your network, so you can identify the ones that belong to you.
To use Wireless Network Watcher, just launch the program, and it will immediately begin scanning your network. This will take a minute or two—you will know it's working if the bottom-left corner reads "Scanning..." Once it's done, that message will disappear, and you are presented with a full list of connected devices.
The resulting list may look a little cryptic, especially if you are not super tech-savvy, but don't worry. You can ignore the IP address and MAC address listings for now. With Wireless Network Watcher, just focus on the Device Name and Network Adapter Company columns.
For example, I see an item named "Dulce" in Wireless Network Watcher, which is the name of my wife's MacBook. I see another with no name, but with "Philips Lighting BV" as the network adapter manufacturer, it's probably the hub for my Philips Hue lights.
Many listings will not have an easy-to-identify name, but you can double-click on a device to add user text that can help identify each device and narrow down all the items on the list.
For Mac users, most apps are either expensive or have caveats that make them less than ideal. LanScan is a decent pick that should be able to offer similar feature to Wireless Network Watcher. You may also be able to use your routers settings page to see the info you need. Fing on iPhone may also be worth a try.
Consult Your Router Settings
If you are lucky, you can recognize all the items on that list, but there may be a few that don't have enough information. After going through my list, for example, I was left with a few devices that listed no name and no manufacturer. However, I was able to get a little more information from my router's web interface.
You can open your router's management page by typing its IP address in your browser's address bar. Once there, look for an option like Attached Devices or Client List. This will present you with a similar list as Wireless Network Watcher, but the information may be slightly different.
After cross-referencing the unknown devices between the two, I found one of them was listed as "AzureWave Technology, Inc" in my router's interface, but not Wireless Network Watcher. A web search revealed that this was my Rachio sprinkler system, so I was able to mark that down and move on.
If you see any other unlabeled devices in the list, check around your house for any internet-connected gadgets you might have missed. I realized that my Amazon Echo was not listed, so after checking the Alexa app on my phone, I was able to match its MAC address to one of the unlabeled items in Wireless Network Watcher.
If all goes well, you should be able to identify every device on your network. If there are any left over, and you have combed your house looking for other internet-connected devices and found nothing, there’s a chance someone nearby may be using your Wi-Fi.
Beef Up Your Network Security
Even if you discover that a neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi, you don't need to hunt them down and start a fuss—you can just kick them off with a change in router security. Head back to your router's web interface and find the option to change your password (usually under the Wireless section somewhere).
If you don't have a password, you absolutely need to start using one, and it needs to be strong. Without a password, your personal information is up for grabs to any amateur hacker who drives by. Choose WPA2 for the password type, since it's far more difficult to crack than the now-outdated WEP.
Make sure WPS is not turned on. This feature makes it easier for people to crack your Wi-Fi password, so turn this feature off if it's currently on. If you want to let guests on your Wi-Fi without giving them access to your devices and information, you can always enable your router's guest network, or simply share the password wirelessly.
If you already had a password—maybe it was weak and easy for your neighbors to guess—changing it to something new should be sufficient to kick them off. Of course, you also have to re-authenticate all of your devices, but you should be able to rest a little easier knowing that all the devices on your network belong to you.
How to See Who's On Your Wi-Fi
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