When your internet suddenly slows down and your router's lights flash wildly, it often indicates that other devices have connected to your network. In dense urban areas, where the signal ByFly When a network penetrates multiple walls, the risk of unauthorized access increases exponentially. Many users are unaware that neighbors or hackers could be using their traffic to download movies or perform even more dangerous activities.
For subscribers of the Belarusian provider ByFly This problem is especially acute since the provider often provides equipment from different manufacturers, such as ZTE, Huawei or Eltex.
Each router model has its own interface features, but the principle of detecting "uninvited guests" remains similar. There are specialized programs for computers and mobile apps that scan the airwaves and display a complete list of connected devices.
In this article we will take a detailed look at how to identify violators, which utilities They're best suited for network analysis and how to permanently block unauthorized access. You'll learn how to read the ARP table, understand the difference between MAC addresses, and quickly respond to threats.
Controlling your home network isn't just a matter of internet speed, it's also a basic level cybersecurity your personal data.
Symptoms of a foreign network connection
The first sign that other people are using your Wi-Fi is a sharp drop in connection speed. If you're paying for a 100 Mbps plan and Full HD video is lagging even on one device, this is cause for concern.
However, speeds can drop for other reasons as well, so it's important to pay attention to the router's behavior. The WLAN (or Wireless) indicator on the front panel of the device usually flashes in time with data transfer. If all your devices are turned off or in sleep mode, and the indicator continues to flash rapidly and erratically, it means active data packet exchange is underway.
Another warning sign could be the inability to access the router settings. Some savvy "neighbors," having gained access, may try to change the administrator password to secure their presence.
It is also worth paying attention to the list of devices on the local network: if you see unknown ones there IP addresses or the names of gadgets that you don't have at home (for example, "Android Box" or someone else's smartphone), access should be blocked immediately.
⚠️ Warning: Don't ignore indirect signs. Even if your speed is acceptable, an unknown device on your local network could be scanning your shared folders or attempting to crack passwords for smart plugs and cameras.
Modern routers such as ZTE F660 or Huawei HG8245H, often have built-in logs, but these aren't always convenient for quick analysis. This is why using third-party software or properly configuring built-in functions becomes critical.
Understanding how it works DHCP server, will help you quickly distinguish your device from someone else's in the list of connections.
PC Software: Network Monitoring on Your Computer
If you have a laptop or desktop computer connected to your router, the easiest way is to use specialized software for Windows. These programs scan the local network, query all active nodes, and provide detailed information about them.
One of the most popular and lightest snails is Wireless Network Watcher from NirSoft. It requires no installation, launches instantly, and displays the IP address, MAC address, network card manufacturer, and the time the device was first detected.
Another powerful tool is Angry IP ScannerThis is a cross-platform scanner that can not only ping addresses but also scan ports.
For a more in-depth analysis of traffic, professionals use Wireshark, but for the average user who just wants to check who's using Wi-Fi, this is overkill. Simple scanners that create a network map in a few seconds are sufficient.
When using such programs, it is important to pay attention to the "Manufacturer" column. If you see a device from Intel or Realtek, this is most likely your computer. But names like Xiaomi, Apple or TPLink may point to phones or smart technology.
Some programs allow you to set your own names for devices so that in the future you won't get confused between your phone and your tablet.
⚠️ Warning: Download network analysis software only from the official websites of the developers. Versions from third-party torrent trackers may contain viruses that will open a backdoor into your system.
Please remember that for these scanners to work, your computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network that you are checking.
Launching a scan from an external IP address (via mobile Internet) without first configuring the router will not yield results, since the local network is hidden behind NAT.
Mobile applications for Android and iOS
For quick on-the-go checking, it's best to use a smartphone. In app stores Google Play And App Store A variety of utilities are available, the functionality of which often surpasses that of their desktop counterparts thanks to access to the phone's wireless module.
The leader in this category is considered to be the application FingIt not only displays a list of all devices on the network, but also identifies their type (TV, printer, console), and runs security tests for open ports.
Other popular options include Network Scanner And WiFi AnalyzerThe latter are especially useful because they show not only who is connected, but also how busy the channel your router is on is. ByFly.
This helps you understand that perhaps the problem isn't traffic theft, but rather that your neighbor's router is jamming your signal by operating on the same frequency.
Mobile app interfaces are usually intuitive: you tap the "Scan" button, and after a few seconds you see a list.
Each device is marked with an icon, making it easy to identify. If you see a device with an icon from an unknown manufacturer or a strange name, click on it to get detailed information, including MAC address.
It is important to note that some modern smartphones (especially those on iOS and recent versions of Android) use a feature called "Private Wi-Fi Address".
This means the phone can generate a random MAC address for each network, which can sometimes confuse users who think they have a new, unknown device on their network. Always check your device list.
Checking via the ByFly router web interface
The most reliable and accurate way to find out who's connected to your Wi-Fi is to delve into the router's internal logic. No third-party program will provide more accurate information than the router itself, which is the one assigning the addresses.
To do this, you need to open your browser and enter the gateway address, usually it is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1The address, login, and password are often written on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
After authorization (standard data for ByFly is often: login admin, password admin (or indicated on the sticker) you need to find the section related to the wireless network or status.
In routers ZTE the tab you're looking for is often called Network -> WLAN -> Associated Stations or simply Status. In interfaces Huawei look for the section Home Network or Users.
☑️ Check via web interface
In the list that opens, you will see a table with the following columns: MAC Address, IP Address, Host Name, Lease Time.
This is where you can see the real picture. If you see a device that's not on your list, you can immediately block its MAC address without installing any additional software.
This is a "native" method that always works, even if third-party utilities fail due to firewall settings.
⚠️ Note: Router interfaces may vary depending on the firmware version. If you can't find the section you need, look for "Wireless," "Station Info," or "DHCP Clients List" in the menu.
Below is an example table of what a list of connected devices might look like in the router interface:
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| MAC Address | Unique physical address of the device | 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E |
| IP Address | Internal address in the local network | 192.168.1.105 |
| Host Name | Device name (user-defined) | iPhone-Sergey |
| Type | Connection type (Wireless/LAN) | 802.11n (Wireless) |
MAC address analysis and device identification
The key to detecting "illegal" devices is correctly identifying them using their MAC addresses. A MAC address consists of 12 hexadecimal digits separated by colons.
The first six digits (OUI - Organizationally Unique Identifier) identify the network equipment manufacturer. Knowing these codes makes it easy to identify the device connected to the network.
For example, prefixes 00:1E:58 or 3C:5A:B4 often belong to devices Huawei, A 88:25:93 - this is already Nokia or Alcatel.
There are online services and databases where you can enter the first three pairs of digits to find the manufacturer. This is especially useful when an unnamed device is listed.
How to find out the MAC address of your phone?
On Android: Settings -> About Phone -> General Information (or Status). On iOS: Settings -> General -> About -> Wi-Fi Address. Write down these numbers and compare them with the list on your router.
However, it's worth remembering the MAC address randomization feature in modern operating systems. If you see a device in your router that doesn't seem to exist but was added recently, try turning Wi-Fi off and on again on your phone with the "Private Address" feature disabled.
If a device "disappears" from the router's list and a new one appears with a different address, it was your phone. If the address is consistently foreign, it's time to sound the alarm.
Maintaining your own list of trusted devices is a best practice.
Write down the MAC addresses of all your TVs, phones, laptops, and smart light bulbs in a notepad. Then, when you check, you'll immediately see the extra row in the table without having to guess whose it is. Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi Vacuum.
Methods of protection and blocking uninvited guests
Once you've identified an unauthorized user, it's time to take decisive action. The simplest yet most effective method is to change your Wi-Fi password.
Go to your wireless network settings (WLAN Basic or Wireless Settings) and change the security key (Pre-Shared Key). Use a complex combination of letters and numbers. After this, all devices will be disconnected, and you will have to reconnect them with a new password.
A more subtle instrument - MAC filteringThis feature allows you to create a "whitelist" of devices that are allowed to connect.
Everyone else, even if they know the password, won't be able to access it. It's usually enabled in the section Security or WLAN MAC FilterSelect the "Allow" mode and enter the MAC addresses of all your devices.
It is also recommended to disable the function WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This technology allows you to connect with the push of a button, but it has vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to guess the PIN code and gain access to the network.
Find the item in the menu WPS and switch it to the state DisableThis will close one of the most common security holes in ByFly routers.
Don't forget to update your router firmware regularly. Manufacturers ZTE And Huawei periodically release updates that patch security vulnerabilities.
You can check for updates in the section Maintenance -> UpdateAn up-to-date software version ensures stable operation and protection from new threats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a neighbor find out my Wi-Fi password if I haven't changed it?
Yes, if you have a weak password or WPS enabled. There are brute-force programs that can crack a simple password or WPS PIN in a short time. The password could also have been saved on a friend's device and is now being broadcast from their phone.
Does having one connected neighbor affect my internet speed?
Yes, it does. The channel's bandwidth is divided among all active users. If your neighbor starts watching 4K video or downloading games, your ping will increase and page loading speed will drop, as Wi-Fi operates in half-duplex mode.
What should I do if I changed my password and the "other" device connected again?
This could mean you have an auto-connect device in your home that you forgot about, or someone else in your household knows the password and connected the device. It's also possible the password was compromised via WPS. Disable WPS and use MAC filtering for 100% protection.
Is it safe to use programs to "disable" neighbors (deanonymizers)?
Using programs to actively disconnect (deauthenticate) connections may be considered a violation of network terms of use or even the law. It's better to use legal protection methods: changing your password, configuring your router, or attacking other people's devices.