People take all kinds of precautions to protect their WiFi. There are security types like WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, as well as intricate captive portals on public network security systems. But what about answering the simplest question: who is connected to my WiFi?
Getting straightforward answers to simple questions in a world of complications is reassuring. Knowing who is accessing your internet is a great way to gain more control over its security. And ultimately, this helps you take better responsibility for all users.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to find out exactly who is on your internet at any time. It’s not a pipe dream; you have the potential to guard your WiFi network as you wish. We are here to teach you how; it won’t take more than 10 minutes. Here’s what you need to know!
How Is WiFi Entry Controlled?
Network owners control WiFi entry in one of two primary ways: passwords or captive portals. The alternative is a third choice: leaving the internet open, meaning the network owner doesn’t control entry at all. Three guesses which are the most secure (tip: it definitely isn’t the last).
Passwords control entry in a simple way. This age-old strategy involves giving customers a password. Of course, there are different strength levels for this approach.
1. Passwords
That automatically generated password you got with your router? Not ideal. Instead, you’ll want a 12 or more character phrase with a mixture of letters, symbols, and numbers. This is the basic makeup of a strong password, which you should still change regularly to keep it secure.
You can share this WiFi password on receipts to enforce customer–only use. You could also put QR codes on your premises or on menus or hotel room cards.
2. Captive Portals
Captive portals operate more technically. Instead of inputting passwords, an automatic system whisks customers to a pop-up form on a webpage once they click join. If they comply and fill out the form, they get WiFi access.
The bonus of this strategy is that business owners can extract the marketing information they need from guests. For instance, they could collect phone numbers or email addresses.
You could even collect social media engagement and customer feedback if you want. It’s a flexible strategy.
3. It Isn’t
Leaving your WiFI network open is risky, but that doesn’t stop people from doing it anyway. This means that when customers go to click your WiFi, they get an instant internet connection.
The Risks of Open Networks
The most significant risk of open networks is for hackers, who can use this opening to nab things like your IP addresses. With your IP address, hackers can impersonate, extort, and even access your geographical location. Scary stuff!
Having secure WiFi is vital, but how watertight that security is massively depends on you and your company. With higher protection, checking connected devices and flagging any unauthorized device that may join is easy. So, before proceeding, consider what systems you already have.
How To Find Who Is Connected to My WiFi: 3 Methods
It’s never too late to invest in further security. If you struggle to access a solid device list or would prefer more detailed device names, switch security methods. The more control you have over entry, the more you’ll know about those using your internet.
Let’s keep things practical, though; we’re answering the question of “How to find who is connected to my WiFi.” These are the top three methods to try.
1. Check Your Settings
Logging into your router settings is easy. You just enter the details from its back (where the sticker is) into your internet browser.
Then, check the management page and look for a list labeled something like a device list or attached devices. This will show an exhaustive list of everyone using your WiFI, listing all connected devices.
The issue is that you might as well decipher the device names from Ancient Greek. Accurately pairing them to most devices is hard, with random phrases and nonsensical names rendering this strategy inefficient. WiFi routers don’t make your life easy if you don’t have entry security up and running.
2. Track It Through Your Portal
The easiest method of all is through a captive portal. This way, customers just input their name and demographic information. Then, you get an entire database of user data — knowing exactly who uses your network and when.
3. Download Surveillance Software
This isn’t something your internet service provider offers in standard WiFi packages; you’re on your own with this one. Check out the top software to track people using your network.
Choices like Wireless Network Watcher and Fing Desktop are all great options. These do the watching for you.
FAQ
Learning how to find who is using your WiFi is tricky. There’s more than one way to go about it, depending on your and your business’s current systems. We have some extra details for you because it’s a challenging topic and a slight gray area. Read on as we answer some common FAQ.
How can I see all devices connected to my WiFi?
Your router settings will show all the devices on your network. However, this information can be challenging to interpret and unclear which name matches which device.
It’s wiser to invest in a captive portal or user-tracking software.
Can I check if someone is using my WiFi?
Yes, checking if someone is using your WiFi is entirely possible. You just need to go to your router settings or invest in surveillance software to track users automatically.
If you are really concerned, you can change your password in the meantime.
Beambox: Securing WiFi and Boosting Marketing
Captive portals are great for offering extra control over your network. With control comes security and user safety, and who doesn’t want that?
Once you know who uses your WiFi, you could even set time limits on specific users. This is useful when running businesses where frequent customers buy a single item and take up valuable space. Every customer should feel welcome, but you’ve got to keep your business viable. That goes for marketing as well.
Another huge benefit of captive portals is that they facilitate marketing opportunities, allowing you to collect contacts through their form. At Beambox, we offer a complete captive portal marketing system with customizable details.
A captive portal makes answering the question, “Who is connected to my WiFi?” much easier. Start your Beambox free trial today!
