Home Networks & Wi-Fi · Inside Your Router · Lesson 3 of 5

Who's on My Network?

Read the connected devices list and deal with any device you don't know.

Reading the devices list

Your router keeps a list of every device connected to it right now. In the router's app or admin page, look for "Connected devices", "Clients", "Device list" or "Attached devices".

Each row usually shows three things:

• Device name: the name the device gives itself, like "Lauras-Phone" or "LIVING-ROOM-TV". Some devices show odd names, or none at all.
• IP address: the device's number on your home network, like 192.168.1.23. The router hands these out, and they can change.
• MAC address: a hardware ID made of six pairs of letters and numbers, like 3C:22:FB:9A:10:7E. The maker builds it into the device's network part.

The first half of a MAC address often shows who made that part. Some lists show the maker's name for you.

Smart home gadgets often have confusing names. A smart plug, light bulb or thermostat may show just a code. One common example starts with "ESP_" and then letters and numbers. ESP is a popular Wi-Fi chip used in many small gadgets.

Phones add a twist. iPhones and Android phones can use a private or randomized MAC address on each network, for privacy. Windows can do this too, with a setting called random hardware addresses. So a phone's MAC address in the list may not match the one in its settings for other networks.

Don't worry if the list looks long. A normal home has more connected things than most people expect.

On the practice computer, open the connected devices list. Match each device to someone in the house, then look into the unknown one.

When a device is truly unknown

Found a name you don't know? Don't panic. Most of the time it is something in your own home that you forgot about.

Work through it step by step:

1. Count your gadgets. Think of phones, laptops, TVs, game consoles, speakers, doorbells, printers, smart plugs, even a washing machine.
2. Look at the maker shown next to the MAC address. A TV maker's name points to the TV.
3. Turn off or unplug a gadget you suspect. If the name disappears from the list, you found it.
4. Rename each device in the app as you identify it. Next time, a stranger will stand out.

If a device is truly not yours, someone may know your Wi-Fi password. Maybe you shared it long ago. Maybe a neighbor guessed a weak one.

Most routers let you block a device. Some call it pause or deny. This kicks the device off your network. But blocking alone is not enough, because a MAC address can be faked.

The real fix is to change the Wi-Fi password:

1. In the app or admin page, open the Wi-Fi or Wireless settings.
2. Type a new, long passphrase and save.
3. Every device gets disconnected. Reconnect your own devices with the new password.

Anyone who only knew the old password is now locked out.

While you are there, check that the admin password is not still the default. If someone got onto your Wi-Fi, you don't want them changing your settings too.