Who's Using Your Wi-Fi? 7 Proven Ways to Identify Connected Devices

Have you noticed your internet is slower than usual? Or is your router blinking suspiciously often, even though you're not downloading anything? Perhaps unauthorized devices have connected to your Wi-Fi network—neighbors, guests who forgot to disconnect, or even hackers using your traffic for their own purposes. In this article, we'll look into it. All available ways to check who is using your Wi-Fi, - from standard router tools to specialized programs.

It's important to understand that even if you set a password for your Wi-Fi, it doesn't guarantee 100% protection. Weak passwords (like 12345678 or qwerty) can be hacked in minutes, and some devices (such as smart speakers or cameras) can automatically connect to open networks. We'll show you how. identify "unnecessary" gadgets, block them and strengthen network security.

The methods from the article work for most modern routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik, Zyxel etc.), as well as for any device—PCs, smartphones, tablets. Some methods require administrator rights or access to the router settings.

1. Viewing the list of devices through the router's web interface

The most reliable and universal way is to go to the router control panel. It displays all connected devices, including their MAC addresses, IP addresses, and even models (if the router supports this feature). These instructions are suitable for most 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). If it doesn't open, check the IP address on the router sticker.
• 🔑 Enter your login and password (by default it is often admin/admin or admin/empty).
• 🔍 Find the section with connected devices. It's usually called:
  • DHCP Clients List (list of DHCP clients)
  • Connected Devices / Devices on the network
  • Wireless → Wireless Statistics (wireless network statistics)

In the table you will see:

If there are devices with unknown names or MAC addresses in the list, they can be blocked directly in this menu (the "Block" option).

2. Using mobile apps from the router manufacturer

Many brands offer official apps for managing routers from a smartphone. They're more convenient than the web interface: they display connected devices in real time, send notifications about new devices on the network, and allow you to block them with a single tap.

Popular apps:

• 📱 TP-Link Tether — for routers TP-Link (Archer, Deco).
• 📱 ASUS Router — for devices ASUS (RT-AX88U, RT-AC68U, etc.).
• 📱 Keenetic — for routers Keenetic (Giga, Ultra, Viva).
• 📱 Mi Wi-Fi — for routers Xiaomi.

How to check devices through the app:

1. Download the app from App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
3. Register or log in to your account (if required).
4. Go to the section Devices, Net or Clients.
5. Review the list. Unknown devices can be blocked or their speed limited.

3. Windows Command Prompt: Who's Connected to Your Wi-Fi

If you don't have access to the router, but you have a computer running Windows, you can find out the list of devices on the local network using the command line. This method will show all active IP addresses, but it will not always display the device names.

Instructions:

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

   arp -a

   It will show the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table with IP and MAC addresses.

3. To see only active connections, use:

   net view

   or

   ping 192.168.1.1 -n 1 & arp -a

   (replace 192.168.1.1 to your router's IP).

Example of command output arp -a:

Interface: 192.168.1.100 --- 0x12
Internet Address      Physical Address      Type
192.168.1.1           aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff     dynamic
192.168.1.101         11-22-33-44-55-66     dynamic
192.168.1.105         99-88-77-66-55-44     dynamic

To determine what device is hidden behind a MAC address, use online services like MAC Vendors or Wireshark. For example, the first 3 bytes of MAC (AA-BB-CC) indicate the manufacturer (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.).

How to find out the manufacturer by MAC address?

The first 6 characters of the MAC address (OUI - Organizationally Unique Identifier) ​​are assigned by the manufacturer. For example:

- 3C:5A:B4 — Google (Nest devices, Chromecast)

- 78:31:C1 — Apple (iPhone, MacBook)

- 5C:CF:7F — Samsung (smartphones, televisions)

A complete list can be found on the IEEE website or by searching the MAC address database.

4. Special programs for network scanning

If standard methods don't help, try third-party utilities. They scan the network, displaying all connected devices, their MAC address, IP address, and sometimes even the model and manufacturer. The best programs for Windows, macOS And Linux:

• 🖥️ Advanced IP Scanner — a free utility with a simple interface. It scans your local network and displays a list of pingable devices.
• 🖥️ Angry IP Scanner — a cross-platform solution (Windows/macOS/Linux). Supports plugins for advanced analysis.
• 🖥️ Wireshark — a professional traffic analyzer. It shows not only devices but also their activity (which websites they visit, what data they transmit).
• 📱 Fing — mobile application for Android And iOSScans the network in seconds and identifies device models.

Example of work Advanced IP Scanner:

1. Download the program from the official website and install it.
2. Start scanning (button Scan).
3. In 10-30 seconds, you will see a list of all devices on the network with their IP, MAC and names (if available).
4. Right-click on the suspicious device and select Ping or Open in browser (if it is a webcam or other gadget with a web interface).

Check your MAC address using an online database.

Try pinging the device (ping command in CMD)

Block it in your router settings.

Change your Wi-Fi password to a more complex one.

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5. Checking through the router menu on the TV or set-top box

If you have Smart TV (For example, Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia) or prefix (Apple TV, NVIDIA Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box), you can try accessing the network settings directly from them. This method is suitable if you don't have a computer or smartphone handy.

Instructions for Samsung Smart TV:

1. Open Settings (button Home → gear).
2. Go to Net → Network status.
3. Select IP settings → DNS settings (A list of devices may be displayed here if your router supports this feature).

For Apple TV:

1. Go to Settings → Net.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network and look at the section Other devices (if there is one).

⚠️ Attention: Not all TVs and set-top boxes display a full list of connected devices. Most often, they only show information about their own connection. For a complete network analysis, it's best to use a router or PC.

6. Traffic analysis: who is consuming your internet

If your internet speed has suddenly dropped, but there's nothing suspicious in the list of devices, one of "your" devices may be infected with a virus or used for mining or torrents. To identify the hog, analyze your traffic.

Methods of analysis:

• 📊 Find the section in your router settings Traffic Monitor, Bandwitch or Traffic statisticsIt shows how much data each device consumes.
• 📊 Use programs like GlassWire (Windows/macOS) or NetGuard (Android). They show which applications and devices are active on the network.
• 📊 In the router's mobile applications (for example, TP-Link Tether) there is a tab Traffic with consumption graphs by devices.

Signs that a device is using your traffic illegally:

• 🚨 Constant activity even when you're not using the internet.
• 🚨 Large volume of downloaded data (tens of gigabytes per day).
• 🚨 Connection to suspicious IP addresses (can be checked via Wireshark).

7. How to block other people's devices and protect Wi-Fi

Found a suspicious device? Here's what to do next:

Step 1. Blocking by MAC address

Find the section in your router settings MAC Filtering (MAC Address Filtering) and add the unknown address to the blacklist. For example, in TP-Link it's done like this:

1. Wireless → Wireless MAC Filtering.
2. Select Deny (Prohibit).
3. Add the MAC address of the suspicious device.
4. Save the settings.

Step 2: Change your Wi-Fi password

If an unknown device appears on your network, Change your password immediately to a more complex one.Optimal password:

• 🔐 Length must be at least 12 characters.
• 🔐 A combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters.
• 🔐 Without obvious words (for example, password123 or qwertyuiop).

Step 3: Disabling WPS

Function WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) simplifies connection, but makes the network vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Disable it in your router settings (Wireless → WPS → Disable).

Step 4: Enabling the Guest Network

If you frequently share Wi-Fi with guests, create a separate guest network with limited permissions. For example, Keenetic:

1. Wi-Fi network → Guest network.
2. Set a separate password.
3. Limit speed or access time.

⚠️ Attention: If you still see your device online after blocking it, your router may have been hacked. In this case, reset it to factory settings (press the button). Reset on the back panel) and set it up again with a new password.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices

Is it possible to find out who is connected to my Wi-Fi if I'm not the router admin?

Yes, but your options will be limited. You can:

• Use network scanning programs (Advanced IP Scanner, Fing).
• View the ARP list via the command line (arp -a).

However, it is impossible to block devices or change network settings without access to the router.

How can I tell if a device on the list is mine and not someone else's?

Compare MAC addresses with your gadgets:

• On Windows: ipconfig /all (look Physical Address).
• On Android: Settings → About phone → General information → Wi-Fi MAC address.
• On iPhone: Settings → General → About → Wi-Fi Address.

Also check the device names in the router list - they often match the model (for example, iPhone-14-Pro or Mi-11-Lite).

What should I do if a device named "Unknown" or "Android-XXXX" appears on the network?

This could be:

• Smart devices (lamps, sockets, cameras) that do not broadcast their name.
• An old smartphone or tablet that you forgot to turn off.
• Someone else's device connected without your knowledge.

Try disconnecting all your devices and see if "Unknown" disappears from the list. If not, block it by MAC address.

Can my neighbor connect to my Wi-Fi if I use a hidden network (SSID hidden)?

Hiding the network name (SSID) does not protect against connection. An experienced user can:

• Detect hidden network using Wireshark or Airodump-ng.
• Use brute force to crack the password if it is weak.

Hiding your SSID only makes it harder for legitimate devices to connect. It's best to use strong password And WPA3 encryption.

How can I find out how much traffic an unknown device is consuming?

Use:

• Built-in router statistics (section Traffic Monitor or Bandwitch).
• Programs GlassWire (Windows/macOS) or NetGuard (Android).
• Router mobile applications (for example, TP-Link Tether → Traffic).

If your device is consuming a lot of traffic (for example, several gigabytes per hour), this may be a sign of:

• Downloading torrents.
• Cryptocurrency mining.
• DDoS attacks via your IP.