Who's Connected to Your Wi-Fi? 5 Ways to Check the Device List

How to use (using example) Fing):

Instructions:

1. Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X → "Terminal (administrator)").
2. Enter the command to view the ARP table (it contains IP and MAC address mappings):

   arp -a

3. To see only active connections, first ping the entire local network range (for example, if your router has an IP 192.168.0.1, the range will be 192.168.0.1–192.168.0.255):

   for /L %i in (1,1,254) do ping -n 1 192.168.0.%i

   Then run it again arp -a.

As a result, you will get a list like this:

Interface: 192.168.0.100 --- 0x12
Internet Address Physical Address Type
192.168.0.1 aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff dynamic
192.168.0.101 11-22-33-44-55-66 dynamic

To determine the manufacturer by MAC address, use services like MAC Vendors (enter first 6 characters of MAC).

4. Via smartphone settings (Android/iOS)

Not everyone knows, but some smartphones can display a list of devices on the same network—albeit with limitations. This method won't provide a complete picture, but it will help you quickly spot obvious "outsiders."

5. Checking through the provider (if the router is rented)

If your router is provided by your internet service provider (e.g. Rostelecom, MTS, Beeline), some control functions may be blocked. In this case, the list of connected devices can be viewed:

• 🖥️ In personal account provider (section "My devices" or "Wi-Fi").
• 📞 By phone, technical support (the operator can remotely check active connections).
• 📄 In the contract or an appendix to it (sometimes providers send traffic reports indicating devices).

Example for Rostelecom:

1. Go to the website lk.rt.ru.
2. Log in and go to the "Internet» → «My devices».
3. Here you will find a list of gadgets with the time of their last connection.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers (eg. Dom.ru) Your personal account only displays devices connected within the last 24 hours. For a complete list, you'll need to use other methods.

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

Finding an unfamiliar device in the list is half the battle. Now you need to figure out whether it's yours or someone else's. Here's the verification process:

Step 1: Check the device name

• 📱 Smartphones and tablets are often displayed with the model: iPhone-14-Pro, SM-G991B (This Samsung Galaxy S21).
• 💻 Laptops can have names like DESKTOP-ABC123 (Windows) or MacBook-Pro.
• 🎮 Game consoles: PS5-1234, XboxSeriesX.

Step 2: Check the MAC address

• 🔍 Find your device's MAC address:
  • On Windows: ipconfig /all (look for the line "Physical address»).
  • On Android: «Settings» → «About the phone» → «General information» → «Wi-Fi MAC address».
  • On iPhone: «Settings» → «Main» → «About this device» → «Wi-Fi address».
• 🔎 Compare with the MAC addresses from the router list.

Step 3: Check the manufacturer by MAC

The first 3 bytes of the MAC address (e.g. 00:1A:2B) indicate the manufacturer. Here are some examples:

If the manufacturer is unknown or the device has a name Unknown actively transmits data - this is a reason to block it.

7. What to do if you find someone else's devices?

Finding the Wi-Fi thief is just the first step. Now it's time to take action:

Method 1: Disconnect the device via the router

• 🚫 In the router's web interface, find the "Bandwidth control" or "Parental control».
• 🔗 Select an unfamiliar device and click "Block" or "Disable».
• 🔄 Some routers (for example, Keenetic) allow you to set traffic limits for suspicious gadgets.

Method 2: Change your Wi-Fi password

• 🔑 Go to your router settings → "Wireless network» → «Protection».
• 🔄 Select encryption type WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK (never use WEP!).
• 💡 Create a complex password (at least 12 characters, with numbers, letters, and special characters). Example: WiFi_7#Kot2026!PeT.

Method 3. Enable MAC address filtering

This is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to protect your network:

1. Collect MAC addresses all of their own devices (see section 6).
2. In your router settings, find "MAC address filter" (usually in the "Wireless network» → «MAC filter»).
3. Add only your addresses to the "white list" and activate filtering.

⚠️ Attention: MAC filtering isn't 100% secure—an experienced user can spoof their device's MAC address. Therefore, it's best to combine this method with changing the password and disabling WPS.

Method 4. Disable WPS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is a vulnerable feature that allows you to connect to a network using a PIN code. It's often hacked:

• 🔌 In the router settings, find the section “WPS" And turn it off his.
• 🔄 If the option is grayed out and inactive, update your router firmware (see section 8).

8. Additional security measures

To avoid unauthorized connections in the future, configure your router according to these recommendations:

1. Update your router firmware

• 🔄 Outdated software contains vulnerabilities. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest version.
• 🖥️ In the web interface, find the section "System» → «Firmware update».

2. Change the network name (SSID)

• 📛 Don't use standard type names TP-Link_1234 - They reveal the router model and make hacking easier.
• 💡 Think of a neutral name without personal information (e.g. HomeNet_5G instead of Ivanov_Family).

3. Set up a guest network

• 👥 If you have frequent guests, create a separate network with limited access to local resources.
• 🔗 In your router settings, find “Guest network" and enable it with a separate password.

4. Disable remote control

• 🔒 In the section "Administration" or "Remote access» Disable the ability to manage the router from the Internet.
• 🛡️ If you need remote access, use a VPN or the manufacturer's cloud services (for example, TP-Link Tether).

5. Enable your router's firewall

• 🛡️ In the security settings, activate the built-in Firewall (if any).
• 🔍 Set up rules to block suspicious connections (for example, from other countries).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices