3 telltale signs someone is stealing your Wi-Fi - and how to stop them
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ZDNet
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7 min read
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Surveillance continues creeping into our daily lives. Facial recognition cameras litter the streets; we are constantly monitored online, and it's rare to attend a social event without a camera being waved in our faces.
However, the prospect of such surveillance entering our homes can be even more disturbing. Have you ever noticed an unfamiliar device connecting to your home network? Or is your bandwidth decreasing rapidly? If someone is lurking on your Wi-Fi, that's a serious invasion of your privacy, not to mention unfair, as you are paying for a service.
Also: Your home Wi-Fi isn't nearly as private as it should be - 6 free ways to lock it down
If someone gains access to your Wi-Fi, they can do more than just steal the bandwidth you're paying for; they can also endanger your privacy and security, steal your data, and potentially even tie you to someone else's illegal online activities.
Fortunately, it can be quite straightforward to identify strangers on your network and boot them out. Find out how to detect them, escort them out -- and keep them out. Look for these three warning signs
There are many reasons your internet connection suddenly goes from fast to sluggish, or you experience unexpected drops and lags.
Legitimate reasons for internet interruptions include faulty router hardware, damage to external cables, weak signal strength, or issues with your internet service provider (ISP), such as regional blackouts. When it comes to software, using the wrong VPN or VPN server to protect your connection can also lead to severe speed drops.
Also: Best VPN services: Expert tested and recommended
However, a slow internet connection can also be caused by unwanted visitors on your network who are stealing your bandwidth. The more devices that are connected to a Wi-Fi point, the higher the traffic demand. This is especially true if someone is streaming in high resolution, gaming online, or torrenting large files.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between legitimate reasons for your internet slowing down and latency issues caused by a freeloader. Start by checking your ISP's service status for any problems, visit downforeveryoneorjustme.com to check disruptions to online services, and check your hardware, including cables and connectors -- as loose cabling can also cause broadband issues.
If someone is using your Wi-Fi without permission, they will need to connect a device such as a smartphone, PC, speaker, or smart home device.
You may also expect low speeds and high traffic loads, video buffering, and your own devices might even disconnect without warning as your network creaks under the strain if too many devices -- authorized or otherwise -- are fighting for the same bandwidth.
Also: Should you switch to a Wi-Fi 7 mesh router? My home testing reveals what got better (and what didn't)
Another symptom may be the active traffic and connections your router shows you. For example, flashing lights on your hardware may indicate network activity when you don't expect it. However, you should check your router's manual for other reasons before assuming it is due to unknown devices on your network.
If your Wi-Fi suddenly stops working, it could be a sign that someone is tampering with your setup without your permission. It may be even more suspicious if your network turns off and on at specific times, for example, when you are playing music.
To maintain access to your Wi-Fi hotspot, someone needs to be close by -- and if you have a less-than-cordial relationship with your neighbors or someone else in your home, there's always the risk that someone is deliberately messing with your Wi-Fi. For example, if someone has accessed your Wi-Fi and its gateway, they can disconnect your connection at any time.
Also: How I turned my old Android phone into a Wi-Fi extender - and fixed dead spots at home
Furthermore, if the Wi-Fi password has changed and you have been kicked out, someone has probably seized control and changed it without your permission.
However, you should keep in mind that hardware failures may be at fault rather than a miscreant. Routers fail over time, ISPs provide poor service, and even weather conditions may impact your connectivity. If there's a pattern in interrupted services, though -- for example, at a particular hour every day -- it may be deliberate.
The simplest answer is often the right one, and with Wi-Fi, it usually comes down to your password.
A weak, easy-to-guess password might be at fault, or one that has been shared without your permission. It is also possible for people to perform brute-force or dictionary attacks on some Wi-Fi networks, running a program that tests combinations of letters, numbers, phrases, and special characters to guess the password and break in.
There's also the issue of Wi-Fi security itself. Wi-Fi standards include WPA, WPA2, and WPA3. You can find out your Wi-Fi's protocol by diving into the wireless settings of your router: on MacOS, hold down the option key and click your Wi-Fi icon; on Windows, go to settings, Wi-Fi, and then the security tab.
The higher the standard, the more difficult it is for attackers to intrude -- but if there are poor passwords or network misconfigurations, it is far from impossible, no matter the protocol.
Outdated router firmware may also put your Wi-Fi at risk, as it may contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited. You can check your hardware's firmware version on the router gateway to see whether it updates automatically or if you need to update it manually via the web.
Also : How to update your router's firmware (and why you should be doing it regularly)
The easiest way to confirm your suspicion that someone is on your Wi-Fi network without permission is to run a network scan.
The first step is to access your router's gateway via a browser. Your router manufacturer or ISP should provide you with the address you need to visit; if you are unsure, try 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Another option is to open your smartphone's Wi-Fi settings, tap your home Wi-Fi hotspot, go to Settings, and choose "Manage router" if available -- it should take you straight to the gateway.
Also: I used this free tool to see what data the internet has on me - and the results were disturbing
When you access your gateway via a browser, you may be warned that the connection isn't private, and you will need to sign in with your hub or router password. Once you're in, depending on the ISP, you may be able to see all devices listed on your network.
Alternatively, use a dedicated network scanner to find and display all devices and IP addresses, then check for anything unfamiliar. Network scanner options include Fing , Nmap , and WiFi Analyzer .
Also: Your smart home may be at risk - 6 ways experts protect your devices from attacks
