In the age of total digitalization, home internet is becoming the central hub connecting smartphones, TVs, laptops, and smart home systems. However, when connection speeds suddenly drop and ping times in online games skyrocket, the first thing that comes to mind is suspicion of unauthorized access to the network. Many ISP subscribers, including House of Ru, wondering who exactly is using their channel right now and whether their Wi-Fi has become open to outsiders.
Control over the list of connected clients is not just a way to identify “freeloaders”, but also basic cybersecurity measureIf an unknown device has connected to your network, it means your password has been compromised or an outdated encryption protocol has allowed an attacker access. In this guide, we'll cover in detail how to audit connected devices through the router interface and specialized utilities.
It's important to understand that monitoring methods may vary depending on your equipment model. Dom.Ru uses various router lines from different vendors, such as Eltex, Keenetic, Huawei or ZTEDespite the differences in menu design, the logic for finding active clients remains similar: access the admin panel and find the section responsible for network status.
The unique identifier (MAC address) of each device allows you to accurately determine the manufacturer of the gadget, even if its name is hidden or changed. This knowledge is critical when analyzing the list, as the name "Unknown" or "Android" could be your own phone or a neighbor's laptop. We'll look at ways to match physical addresses with actual devices in the home.
Login to the Dom Ru router control panel
The first and essential step for any home network administration is authorization in the device's web interface. To do this, you'll need a device that's already connected to the router via cable or Wi-Fi. Open any browser and enter the gateway's IP address in the address bar. This is most often the case for Dom.Ru equipment. 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address is usually indicated on a sticker on the bottom of the case.
After entering the address, the system will ask for your login and password. If you have never changed these details, they are the default ones. The default combination is often admin/admin or user/userIn modern router models supplied by the provider, the password may be unique and also printed on a label. Be careful: after several unsuccessful attempts, access may be temporarily blocked.
In some cases, your provider changes the default remote management credentials. If the default passwords don't work, try the ones specified in your service contract. After successfully logging in, you'll see the main menu, the appearance of which varies depending on your firmware. All settings are located here, from changing the network name to port forwarding.
⚠️ Note: If you changed your admin password and forgot it, the only solution is to completely reset the router to factory settings (Reset button), which will require you to reconfigure your internet connection.
The interface can be presented as a classic list on the left or tiles in the center. We're interested in the section related to the system or wireless network status. It may have different names in different firmware versions, but its functionality is always responsible for displaying current connections.
Analyzing the list of connected clients
After logging into the control panel, find the section displaying active connections. Depending on your router model (e.g., Eltex or Keenetic), this section may be called "Client List," "DHCP Lease," "Wireless Status," or "Users." This is where you'll get a complete picture of who's currently using your Wi-Fi.
In the window that opens, you'll see a table or list containing key information about each device. Typically, this includes the IP address, MAC address, connection type (LAN or WLAN), and lease time. WLAN means wireless connection, and LAN — wired. If you see a device with a WLAN type you don't recognize, be wary.
How to distinguish your device from someone else's?
Device names (Hostnames) often appear in the list. Try disabling Wi-Fi on your phone and see which device disappears from the list. This is the fastest way to identify it.
Modern Dom.ru routers often feature a graphical network display. The main page may feature a diagram clearly showing the number of connected devices. Clicking on the Wi-Fi icon or the list of devices takes you to a detailed menu. Here, you can not only view the list but also forcefully disconnect from a selected client.
Pay attention to the number of active IP addresses. If you only have two phones and one TV in your home, but the list shows 10 devices, this is a clear sign of a problem. Some routers allow you to sort the list by connection type, making it easier to find wireless "guests."
Identifying devices by MAC address
Often the list of connected clients displays names like "android-xyz" or "unknown," which doesn't provide any useful information. In this case, MAC address — a unique physical identifier of the network card, consisting of 12 hexadecimal characters (for example, A1:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6). The first six characters (OUI) indicate the manufacturer of the device.
To figure out whose gadget it is, you can use online services to search by MAC address or simply look at the first three pairs of characters. For example, addresses starting with 00:1A:2B, may belong to Apple, while other prefixes may belong to Samsung, Xiaomi, or Intel. This helps weed out devices that aren't physically present in your home (for example, you know for sure you don't have Huawei devices).
The verification process is as follows:
- 📱 Copy the MAC address of the suspicious device from the router interface.
- 🔍 Enter it into a search engine with the query “MAC address vendor lookup”.
- 🏭 Get the manufacturer's name and compare it with the equipment you have.
It's also helpful to keep track of your devices. Write down the MAC addresses of your trusted devices in a notebook. When you see a familiar address on the list, you can quickly identify the others. This is especially true for smart home devices, which often have obscure names like "ESP32" or "Tuya."
Using mobile apps for monitoring
Logging into your router's web interface every time is inconvenient, especially if you need to quickly check your network from your smartphone. To simplify this task, there are specialized network scanner apps. They analyze traffic and display all devices on the same subnet as your phone.
One of the most popular and reliable tools is the application FingIt's available for both Android and iOS. Once installed and running a scan, the program will build a complete list of all devices connected to Wi-Fi, displaying their manufacturers, operating systems, and even open ports. It's a powerful tool for security diagnostics.
Other useful utilities include Network Scanner or WiFiman from Ubiquiti. They allow you not only to view the list but also to run a speed test for each device and check for vulnerabilities. However, it's important to remember that these applications view the network just like any other device, so they can't block users at the router level—that still requires admin access.
The advantage of mobile scanners is their cross-platform compatibility and simplicity. You don't need to know the gateway IP address or router password (if you're already connected to Wi-Fi). The app will automatically find the gateway and scan the address range. This is ideal for a quick, on-the-spot check.
Block unknown devices and protect your network
If you detect an intruder, you should block them immediately. In the Dom.ru router interface, next to each client there is often a "Block," "Ban," or "No Entry" button. Clicking it adds the intruder's MAC address to the list. Blacklist (blacklist). After this, the device will not be able to connect, even with the correct password.
However, simply blocking the connection is a temporary measure. An attacker can change their device's MAC address (spoofing) and attempt to reconnect. Therefore, the most effective method is to change the Wi-Fi network password. After changing the encryption key, all devices will be disconnected, and you'll only have to reconnect your own devices.
To prevent future intrusions, please configure Whitelist (whitelist). This feature, often called a "MAC filter," allows connections only to devices whose addresses are manually added to the list. All others, even with the correct password, will be blocked. This is the highest level of protection, although it requires more time to configure new devices.
⚠️ Important: When enabling MAC filtering (whitelist), make sure you add the device you are currently using to configure the router, otherwise you will lose access to the admin panel and will have to reset it.
It is also recommended to disable the function WPS in the wireless network settings. This protocol is designed to simplify connections, but has known vulnerabilities that allow passwords to be brute-forced. Disabling WPS will significantly increase the security of your access point.
Access Control Methods Comparison Table
To help you choose a network security and monitoring strategy, let's compare the main methods available to users. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your technical expertise and router model.
| Method | Complexity | Efficiency | Necessary rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual inspection of indicators | Low | Low | No |
| Router web interface | Average | High | Admin Login/Password |
| Mobile scanners (Fing) | Low | Average | Wi-Fi access |
| MAC filtering (WhiteList) | High | Maximum | Admin Login/Password |
As the table shows, the router's web interface remains the most comprehensive tool. Mobile apps are good for quick analysis, but don't provide permission to change security configurations. Visual inspection of the blinking indicators provides only indirect information about the presence of traffic, but not its source.
Usage MAC filtering This method requires the most time, as you'll have to change the router settings every time you buy a new phone or have guests over. However, for apartments with constant traffic and high security requirements, it's the best choice.
☑️ WiFi Security Checklist
Common mistakes and additional recommendations
When setting up security, users often make common mistakes. One of them is using passwords that are too simple and easy to guess. Passwords should contain at least 10 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using birthdays, phone numbers, or strings like "12345678."
Another common problem is ignoring router firmware updates. Manufacturers regularly release patches to fix security holes. If your Dom.Ru router supports automatic updates, enable it. If not, periodically check for new firmware versions on the manufacturer's website.
Don't forget about your guest network. If you frequently have friends over or rent out your space, create a separate guest hotspot. It will be isolated from your main network, where your personal files, NAS storage, and smart plugs are located. Guests won't need to know your main password, and you'll have peace of mind that your data is secure.
Remember that no system is completely invulnerable, but a comprehensive approach including a strong password, disabling WPS, and periodic client monitoring will make your network inaccessible to 99% of potential intruders. Pay attention to detail, and your internet will function reliably.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can my neighbor see my files if he is connected to Wi-Fi?
Simply being connected to the same network doesn't automatically grant access to your files. However, if network discovery and folder sharing are enabled on your computer, your neighbor could theoretically attempt to access them. It's recommended to set the network profile in Windows to "Public" to hide your computer from other devices.
Why does "Unknown" appear in the device list?
This occurs when the device doesn't broadcast its network name (hostname) or the router can't recognize it. This often happens to Internet of Things (IoT) devices, older gadgets, or devices with non-standard network stacks. Use the MAC address for identification.
Does changing the Wi-Fi password reset the router settings?
No, changing your wireless network password only affects the encryption key. All other settings, such as your PPPoE login and password from your ISP, IPTV settings, or port forwarding, will remain unchanged. You'll only need to reconnect your devices with the new password.
How do I know how many devices can work simultaneously through a router?
In theory, standard home routers support 15 to 32 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections. However, actual performance depends on the router's processor power and RAM. Exceeding this limit may cause the network to become unstable or prevent new devices from connecting.