Who is connected to my wireless router

Depending on how your computer and other devices are configured, a stranger who joins your WiFi might gain access to the files that you share among computers, printers, and other connected devices. The sad truth is that most computer users have terrible habits when it comes to security and seldom take even the most basic security precautions. If someone on your network gets infected by a dangerous strain of malware, the malicious software could spread to other computers and devices on the network.

Some types of malware focus specifically on WiFi routers , either using their resources for malicious purposes or taking advantage of their central role to attack as many people as possible. Virtually all routers keep some sort of a record of past and current connections, usually stating both the IP address of every connected device and its name. Just remember to also change your password otherwise the intruder might reconnect the second you go back to minding your own business.

We also encourage you to download a comprehensive WiFi analysis application , such as NetSpot, to understand the reason why someone has successfully joined your wireless network. NetSpot can create an easy-to-understand heat map of your wireless signal strength so you can determine how far from your router someone could be and still have access to your wireless network.

A lot of sensitive information is being sent and received over wireless connection: passwords, identity information, payment card credentials, private correspondence, etc. A vulnerability exploit attack on WPA2 — one of the most secure protocols for wireless networks — can intercept and get hold of this important information. Keeping your security protocol as well as your devices hardware up-to-date is rather important in order to not fall a victim of such an attack.

It is of course up to you, but we wouldn't recommend letting strangers use your WiFi. You might be lucky and someone is just looking for a free way to browse some basic stuff online and disconnects quickly. But what if someone connecting to your network is already infected by malware that spreads over WiFi?

To avoid dealing with such an unpleasant situation, we'd recommend keeping your network password-protected and only letting in those people you know personally. If you want to find out what devices are connected to your Wi-Fi, you've come to the right place.

There are a number of ways to go about it! This wikiHow teaches you how to check who is connected to your Wi-Fi network. Open a web browser and type the IP address for your router in the address bar.

Enter the username and password for the router. Click Connected devices , Attached devices , or something similar. Check the list of devices connected to your wireless network. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.

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Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Open a browser. You can use a web browser to log in to the web interface for your wireless router. You can use the web interface to set up and configure your wireless network and check who is connected to your wireless router.

Type the IP address of your router in the address bar. This takes you to the web interface for your wireless router.

The IP address for your wireless router is going to be different from one make and model to another. Consult the user's manual or the manufacturer's web page to find the specific IP address for your wireless router. Common router IP addresses include Click it to open it. Look for the IP address to the right of "Default Gateway". Enter your username and password.

If you haven't changed the username and password, input the default information. This can vary depending on the make and model of your router. Consult the user's manual or manufacturer's web page to find the default username and password for your router. There are quite a few different network scanners out there that you can use.

The only downside is that these apps will only list active devices — the ones that are currently online. Doing this will keep anyone from using your internet connection to perform malicious acts. What tools did you use to do that? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

Anya is a freelance technology writer. With a background in Journalism, Language Studies, and Technical Translation, Anya couldn't imagine her life and work without using modern technology on a daily basis.

Always looking out for new ways to make her life and location-independent lifestyle easier, she hopes to share her experiences as a tech- and internet-addict through her writing. Read Anya's Full Bio. Subscribe to Help Desk Geek and get great guides, tips and tricks on a daily basis!

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