Do you suspect that someone has managed to gain access to your wireless network? If you want to know which devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network, then keep reading this article. There are several ways to find the information you are looking for. This article explains how to check which devices are connected to a wireless network.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use the Network Router
Step 1. Launch an internet browser
You can use this software tool to access the web interface of the router that manages your Wi-Fi network. The router's web interface can be used to configure a Wi-Fi network and all related settings, including controlling which devices are connected to the router.
Step 2. Type the IP address of the router into the address bar of the browser
The network device management web interface will appear. The default IP address of a router varies by make and model. Consult the instruction manual or the manufacturer's website to find out what the IP address of your network router is.
- Normally the most commonly used IP addresses are: 192.168.1.1 And 10.0.0.1.
- You can also find the IP address of the network router using the Windows "Command Prompt". Go to the "Start" menu and type in the keyword cmd to display the "Command Prompt" icon. Click on it to start the program. Type the command ipconfig / all in the window that appears and press the Enter key. The IP address of the network router is displayed to the right of the "Default Gateway" item.
Step 3. Enter your username and password
If you haven't changed your default login credentials, you can use them now to login. This login information also varies by router make and model. Consult the manufacturer's instruction manual and website to find the default username and password for logging in.
Normally "admin" is used as the username and the word "password" as the password
Step 4. Find the list of devices connected to the network
This information is contained within the web interface of the network router. Depending on the make and model of the device, the location and name of the section that contains this information may vary. You will normally find it referred to as "Connected devices", "Attached devices" or a similar name. This way you will have the complete list, with name and MAC address, of all devices currently connected to the network.
If there are devices in the list that you don't recognize, make sure you change the Wi-Fi network password immediately. Verify that the router uses the WPA2-PSK security protocol to protect network access (if possible). This will require you to re-enter the new password on all connected devices in order to reconnect
Method 2 of 3: Use the Command Prompt
Step 1. Open a "Command Prompt" window
If you are using a computer running Windows 8 or later, press the "Windows" key on your keyboard and type in the keyword "cmd".
If you are using a Mac, you will need to open a "Terminal" window. Click on the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the screen and type the keyword terminal in the search bar that will appear, then click on the "Terminal" app icon that will be displayed in the results list
Step 2. Type the command "arp -a" in the "Command Prompt" window
Step 3. Review the list of IP addresses that appeared
All IP addresses that belong to the same class as your router's IP address (starting for example with "192.168") are related to devices connected to the network. The list that appears shows the IP and MAC addresses of all the devices connected to the router.
Each device that can connect to the internet is identified by a unique MAC address. Normally it is possible to find the MAC address of a device from the "Settings" menu in the "Network" or "Internet settings" section or in the "Information" or "Info" section. You can find the MAC address of any Windows, Mac, iOS or Android device
Method 3 of 3: Using the Wireless Network Watcher Program (Windows)
Step 1. Visit the website https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_watcher.html using your computer browser
You can use any of them.
Step 2. Scroll down the page and click on the Download Wireless Network Watcher with full install link
It is the second link listed in the "Feedback" section of the page.
Step 3. Click on the installation file and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen
By default, files you download from the web should be stored in the "Downloads" folder. Click on the "wnetwatcher_setup.exe" file. The Wireless Network Watcher program installation wizard will start. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. The Wireless Network Watcher program will start automatically after completing the procedure.
Step 4. Launch Wireless Network Watcher
It features an eye icon placed on a network router. Go to the Windows "Start" menu and type in the keywords Wiress Network Watcher. Click on the icon that appeared in the results list to start the program. Wireless Network Watcher will automatically scan your network and display a list of all devices currently connected to the router.
The name of each device connected to the network, including the Wi-Fi router, is shown in the "Device Name" column of the table
Step 5. Click on the "Play" button characterized by a green triangle
It is located in the upper left corner of the Wireless Network Watcher program window. The network will be scanned again and the results list will be displayed when finished.
