WiFi has become an indispensable tool in our homes, providing internet access for a wide range of daily activities.
However, this precious resource can be compromised when unauthorized people, such as guests, neighbors, family members, delivery drivers, or hackers, access our network without permission.
To safeguard our connection and guarantee its exclusive use for those who reside in our home, it is essential to carry out regular reviews of the devices connected to it. our WiFi and take measures to expel unwanted intruders.
The effectiveness of these actions may vary depending on the configuration of our home network and the devices we havesince many modern routers and mesh systems offer applications that make it easy to identify all the devices connected to our network.
Access your router settings
This usually involves entering a specific IP address into your computer’s browser, such as 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You will need the username and password to access. These details are often printed on the router itself or in the documentation provided by your internet provider.
Check the list of connected devices
Once inside the router’s management interface, look for a section that lists the devices connected to your network. This section may have different names depending on the router, such as “Connected Devices,” “Active Devices,” or “DHCP Clients.”
Identify devices
Compare the devices listed on the router’s interface with the devices you recognize, such as phones, computers, tablets, and smart devices in your home. Each connected device should have an assigned IP address and possibly a MAC address, which is unique for each device.
Search for unknown devices
Any device on the list that you don’t recognize could be an indication that someone else is using your WiFi without permission. Take note of these devices.
Change your WiFi password and update security
If you encounter unknown devices, it is advisable to change the password of your WiFi network and ensure that you are using a robust security protocol, such as WPA3. After changing the password, all devices will need to reconnect with the new passwordwhich will help prevent unauthorized access in the future.
How often you should check to see if someone unauthorized is using your WiFi can vary depending on several factors.such as the number of devices that normally connect to your network, the importance of the information you manage on your home network and the level of security you already have established.
If you notice something unusual, such as a decrease in the speed of your internet connection for no apparent cause, it might be wise to have it checked at that time. Additionally, after you have shared your WiFi password with visitors, it is also advisable to check the list of connected devices.
If someone steals your WiFi, the consequences in terms of cybersecurity can be quite serious:
- Speed loss: If someone else uses your WiFi without permission, you will notice that your internet is slower because it is consuming part of your bandwidth.
- Access to your devices: The intruder could try to access your personal devices that are connected to the same network, putting your private information at risk.
- Risk of malware and attacks: By having access to your network, it could infect your devices with malware or carry out attacks such as Man-in-the-Middle, where communication between two parties is intercepted.
- Exposure of personal information: It may intercept sensitive data you transmit over your network, such as passwords, emails, and financial data.
- Use of your connection for illegal activities: If they use your WiFi to carry out illegal activities, you could face legal problems for being the owner of the connection.
To protect yourself, it’s key to keep your WiFi secure with strong passwords and use the most current encryption protocol, such as WPA3. It’s also important to regularly check the devices connected to your network and keep your router’s firmware updated to avoid vulnerabilities.
