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Here's how to see who's stealing your Wi-Fi and block them

AndroidPIT router wifi 1
© nextpit

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.

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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.

AndroidPIT fritzbox 7590 wifi router 1507
Check for the blinking lights to see if there is activity on your router. / © NextPit

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.

fingapp
Tap a device in the list (left) and you can copy its MAC address to block it / © NextPit

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.
AndroidPIT router wifi 2
If people are accessing your Wi-Fi, it's possible they may have obtained your password. / © NextPit

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.

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Nicholas Montegriffo

Nicholas Montegriffo
Editor

A cyberpunk and actual punk, Nicholas is the Androidpit team's hardcore gamer, writing with a focus on future tech, VR/AR, AI & robotics. Out of office, he can be found hanging around in goth clubs, eating too many chillies, or at home telling an unlucky nerd that their 8th level wizard died from a poisoned spike trap.

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51 comments
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  • 2
    Mommieoflondonboy Aug 4, 2020 Link to comment

    This is so very helpful. Thank you very much. By the way I have been using Fing for months. It works very well.


  • 1
    Frank May 24, 2020 Link to comment

    This suppose that the hackers do not have copied MAC addresses. What solution are available when MAC addresses are compromised?


  • 2
    Hate my ex-husband 4doin this to me Oct 11, 2018 Link to comment

    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.


  • 2
    Hate my ex-husband 4doin this to me Oct 11, 2018 Link to comment

    Is it illegal to Wi-Fi tap?? Especially if is done by an abusive ex-husband, 3 DV convictions?


  • Jerry's W. 20
    Jerry's W. Feb 7, 2018 Link to comment

    If you set up your wifi and wifirouter with strong passwords you will not have tot be worried someone is "stealing" your wifi.


  • 阳 冀 1
    阳 冀 Aug 12, 2017 Link to comment

    I found a much better one named 「block wifi thief」 ,besides see who's on the network,also can block the freeloaders off


  • 2
    Santhosh K Mar 26, 2017 Link to comment

    There is bug in this product , it doesnt identify my laptop though its connected to the same network.

    George


  • Massimo Irina 2
    Massimo Irina Mar 25, 2017 Link to comment

    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.

    itprolondenDhuko Romanov (R)


  • 1
    AlphaOmega Feb 24, 2017 Link to comment

    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


  • Mario 1
    Mario Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

    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.


  • Nisha Patel 12
    Nisha Patel Aug 30, 2016 Link to comment

    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.


    • Dhuko Romanov (R) 1
      Dhuko Romanov (R) Mar 27, 2017 Link to comment

      But surely there are times in your life where Ethernet is not applicable. What then?


  • 28
    itprolonden Aug 29, 2016 Link to comment

    For those who don't understand how to use it, Google is your best friend!

    vagabontiSorin


  • Michal Horna 14
    Michal Horna Aug 29, 2016 Link to comment

    very informative
    Thank you for your contribution


  • Chris Koczka 1
    Chris Koczka Aug 29, 2016 Link to comment

    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.


  • 12
    lianne john Aug 29, 2016 Link to comment

    Quite a useful post, thanks!


    • 7
      thenext Feb 15, 2018 Link to comment

      yes i agree


  • 5
    Sjaak Schulteis Aug 28, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks, this is a useful tool... I also installed Wifi analyser... next to it, great tool as well...!


  • 5
    Steph James Aug 27, 2016 Link to comment

    Why did you publish this article, my neighbor has just blocked me from using his wifi.

    ElfynSjaak Schulteis


    • Scott “Scott Rockin” Barton 2
      Scott “Scott Rockin” Barton Dec 5, 2016 Link to comment

      Good to buy your own damn wifi--Ya Thief

      Elfyn

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