Who's using my Wi-Fi? How to check devices connected to my router

Have you noticed your internet has slowed down and your data is running out early? Perhaps unauthorized devices have connected to your Wi-Fi network—neighbors, guests who forgot to disconnect, or even hackers. On average, 30% of users Experience unauthorized access to their network at least once a year. But how can you accurately determine who's using your Wi-Fi and block unwanted access?

In this article you will find 5 working methods Checking connected devices—from standard router tools to specialized apps. We'll cover how to do this on popular router models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik), as well as using a smartphone or computer. You'll also learn how to distinguish a legitimate device from a rogue one and what to do if you detect a suspicious connection.

1. Checking via the router's web interface (universal method)

The most reliable method is to log into your router's control panel. It displays a complete list of devices connected to the network, including their MAC addresses, IP and even models (if the router supports the definition). The instructions are suitable for 90% of modern routers, but the menu paths may differ slightly.

To open the web interface:

• 🌐 Enter in the address bar of your browser 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (less often) 192.168.8.1 for some models TP-Link).
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (usually admin/admin, if you haven't changed it).
• 📊 Find the section with connected devices (names may vary).

Where to find a list of devices in popular routers:

⚠️ Attention: If you haven't changed your router's default password, anyone connected to your network can access its settings. Change your login/password immediately after verification. in the section System Tools → Administration (path may differ).

2. Using mobile applications (for Android and iOS)

If you're too lazy to access your router settings or don't have access to a computer, you can use specialized apps. They scan your network and display all connected devices, sometimes even listing their models (for example, iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S22).

Top 3 verified apps:

• 📱 Fing (Android/iOS) - identifies devices by MAC address, reveals open ports and even network vulnerabilities. The free version is limited to one scan per day.
• 🔍 NetScan (Android) — scans the local network and sorts devices by manufacturer (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.).
• 🛡️ WiFi Guard (iOS) — Compares current connections with your "whitelist" and notifies you about new devices.

How to use Fing (step by step):

1. Download the app from Google Play or App Store.
2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
3. Click Scan — after 10–30 seconds a list of devices will appear.
4. Click on any device to see it MAC, IP and the manufacturer.

The downside of mobile apps is that they don't always show All devices (for example, those connected via cable). For a complete picture, it's best to combine this method with checking through the router's web interface.

3. Windows Command Prompt (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work without third-party programs, you can check the connected devices via Windows command lineThis method is suitable for local network (including devices connected via cable and Wi-Fi).

Instructions:

1. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
2. Enter the command:
   

   arp -a

   It will show the correspondence table IP- And MAC addresses.

3. To see only active connections, use:
   

   net view

Example of command output arp -a:

Interface: 192.168.1.5 --- 0x12
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.1.1 aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff dynamic
192.168.1.100 11-22-33-44-55-66 dynamic
192.168.1.102 ff-ee-dd-cc-bb-aa dynamic  

To determine the manufacturer by MAC address, use the service MAC Vendors (enter the first 6 characters of the address). For example, AA:BB:CC may belong Apple, A 11:22:33 — Samsung.

⚠️ Attention: Some devices (especially smart bulbs or cameras) may not show up in the output. arp -a, if they are in sleep mode. For a full network scan, use the utility nmap (requires installation).

4. Analyzing traffic through a router (for advanced users)

If you suspect that someone has not only connected to your network, but is also actively using traffic (for example, downloading torrents or watching videos), you can analyze data stream via a router. Many modern models (ASUS RT-AX88U, Keenetic Ultra) have built-in monitoring tools.

How to enable traffic monitoring:

• 📈 In the router's web interface, find the section Traffic, Statistics or Bandwidth Monitor.
• 🔄 Enable data collection (you may need to reboot your router).
• 📊 After 10-15 minutes, check which devices are consuming the most traffic.

Example from the interface Keenetic:

If you see a device with suspiciously high traffic (for example, tens of gigabytes per hour), it could be:

• 🎬 Streaming video in 4K.
• 🏴‍☠️ Torrent client or downloading large files.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Hacking a network for cryptocurrency mining (rare, but it does happen).

How to block a device by MAC address?

1. Log into your router's web interface.

2. Find the section Wireless Network → MAC Filter (or similar).

3. Add MAC address suspicious device to the blacklist.

4. Save the settings and reboot the router.

5. Checking using specialized programs (Wireshark, GlassWire)

For deep network analysis, you can use professional tools like Wireshark or GlassWireThey show all network packets, including hidden connections, but require some technical knowledge.

Wireshark (free, for Windows/macOS/Linux):

• 🔍 Intercepts and analyzes traffic in real time.
• 📊 Shows protocols (HTTP, DNS, TCP), IP- And MAC addresses.
• ⚠️ Difficult for beginners - requires filter settings.

GlassWire (shareware, for Windows):

• 📈 Visualizes traffic by devices and applications.
• 🚨 Notifies about new connections.
• 🔒 You can block suspicious ones IP directly from the interface.

Example of a filter in Wireshark To search for unknown devices:

wlan.addr == aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff  

⚠️ Attention: Usage Wireshark On public networks (like in a cafe), this may violate local privacy laws. On a home network, it's safe.

6. How to distinguish your device from someone else's?

You found an unknown device in the list of connected devices. MAC address or the name. How can I tell if it's my device or someone else's?

Identification methods:

• 📱 Check your gadgets: Turn off all your devices one by one (smartphone, laptop, TV) and see which one disappears from the list.
• 🔍 Check out the manufacturer: First 6 characters MAC addresses indicate the brand. For example:
  • B8:27:EB — Raspberry Pi.
  • 78:31:C1 — Apple.
  • 5C:F9:DD — Samsung.
• 🕒 Connection time: If your device appears online at night or when you are not at home, this is a clear sign of unauthorized access.

Typical "legitimate" devices you might have forgotten:

• 💡 Smart light bulbs (Xiaomi Yeelight, Philips Hue).
• 🎮 Game consoles (PlayStation, Nintendo Switch).
• 📺 TVs with Smart TV (can connect automatically).
• 🔊 Smart speakers (Amazon Echo, Yandex Station).

Turn off Wi-Fi on all your devices and check if they are still connected to the network. Change your Wi-Fi password to a more complex one (at least 12 characters). Enable MAC address filtering in your router settings. Update your router firmware to the latest version. Check your router for vulnerabilities using a service. ShieldsUP!-->

7. How to prevent unauthorized access in the future?

Even if there are no strangers on your network right now, this does not guarantee security. Here 5 stepsTo protect your Wi-Fi from being hacked:

1. Change the default router password:
   • 🔐 Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols (example: k7#pL9!qR2$v).
   • 🚫 Don't use birthdays, names, or simple words like password.

Enable encryption WPA3:

This is the most reliable standard available today. If your router doesn't support it, WPA3, use WPA2-AES (Not TKIP!).

Turn it off WPS:

Technology Wi-Fi Protected Setup Vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Disable it in your router settings.

Hide network name (SSID):

Disable broadcasting in your router settings. SSIDThen your network won't be visible in the public list, but you can still find it manually.

Guest network for friends:

Create a separate network for guests with limited access to local devices (eg. MyWiFi_Guest).

Additional measures for the paranoid 😉:

• 🔄 Check the list of connected devices regularly (once a month).
• 📡 Use VPN on a router (For example, NordVPN or ExpressVPN) to encrypt all traffic.
• 🛡️ Install firewall on the router (available on MikroTik, Ubiquiti).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

Is it possible to find out who exactly is using my Wi-Fi (name, address)?

No, by MAC address or IP You can only determine the device model and manufacturer (for example, iPhone 12 or Samsung Smart TV). To identify a specific person, you need to contact the police with a report of unauthorized access (if this caused you harm).

What should I do if my neighbor hacked my Wi-Fi and refuses to disconnect?

First, change your network password and enable filtering by MAC addressesIf your neighbor continues to connect (for example, due to a router vulnerability), contact your ISP—they may block their device at the hardware level. As a last resort, you can file a police report under Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Unauthorized access to computer information").

Why do unknown gadgets with names like "Android-1234" appear in the list of devices?

These could be:

• Smart devices (lamps, sockets, vacuum cleaners) that you forgot.
• Guests who connected previously and did not disconnect (Android devices often keep the connection in the background).
• Neighbors who accidentally connect to your network (if you have open Wi-Fi or a simple password).

Check it out MAC address through the service MAC Vendors - this will help identify the device.

Can a hacker spoof a MAC address to avoid detection?

Yes, MAC address can be faked (this is called MAC-spoofing). If you see a device with MAC, which matches yours but you don't recognize it, is cause for concern. In this case:

1. Change your Wi-Fi password immediately.
2. Check your router for unofficial firmware (it may contain backdoors).
3. Disable remote access to your router (Remote Management).

How can I check if someone is using my Wi-Fi for mining?

Signs of mining on your Wi-Fi:

• A sharp increase in traffic (tens of gigabytes per day).
• Constant load on the router (it heats up, slows down).
• Connections to mining pools appear in the router logs (for example, pool.supportxmr.com).

To stop this:

1. Block the suspicious device by MAC.
2. Change your Wi-Fi password and turn it on WPA3.
3. Update your router firmware (outdated versions are vulnerable to mining software injection).