March 17, 2023
Find out how to check if an unauthorized user is accessing your wifi and learn how to protect your wifi router and network.
You're on the internet, minding your own business, perhaps watching Netflix, working remotely or checking your Instagram feed. You start to notice things like pixillated images, a slowdown in files transferring, emails getting held up in your outbox or a lag in responses to your chats. These are textbook signs of decreased network bandwidth, which could mean someone is stealing your wifi.
How to Check Who's Using Your Internet
Protect your privacy and get your internet back up to speed by taking control of who uses your wifi. Here's how to check:
- Observe router light(s): Turn off all your wireless devices in your home and if the light(s) on your router indicating wireless internet activity still blink, that could means an outsider is tapping your WiFi.
- Monitor wifi activity with an app: Cox customers can use the Panoramic WiFi app, which allows customers to view the status of their internet connection, restart their gateway and troubleshoot issues for a particular device.
- Check the list of devices connecting to your network: Type in your router's IP address into an internet browser. Log in to your router using your username and password and find the section where you can check all attached devices. You'll be able to see all devices that are connected to your wifi that aren't yours — or in your household.
What to Do If Someone Is Stealing Your Wifi
Once you've figured out who's been stealing your internet service, you can kick them off the network and prevent similar occurrences from happening in the future.
Take these steps to secure your home internet and ensure your household is the only one that has access to the network:
- Set a strong WiFi password: Create a password for your network if you don't have one. This can prevent unauthorized users from easily logging in. If you have a password but it's the default one, change it to add an extra layer of security. Taking this action will kick off any current user who's been getting a free ride on via your wifi.
- Use WPA2 network encryption: This is the strongest encryption that will ensure you're on a separate and secured wireless network.
- Block unknown users through your router settings: If you choose to check the list of devices using your network via router login, you can also block the unknown devices by going to the advanced wireless settings tab, filtering option.
Protect Your Wifi Network
No one should stop you from using your home internet as you please, especially unwelcome users. With the right adjustments and precautions, you can free your network bandwidth of any wifi thieves and get back to business as usual.
Why It Matters When Someone's Stealing WiFi
Aside from interrupting the latest TikTok video and preventing your internet from reaching optimal speeds, the more serious matter is that your personal data could be at risk. A stranger could potentially access shared folders and take your personal information. Your financial, medical and family info could all be compromised.
More Tips for Managing Your Home Tech
Did you know?
Once your Cox wifi is buttoned up and secure, you may want to do a speed test to make sure you're optimizing your home internet. If you've followed standard troubleshooting tips, like restarting your router, and still find your speeds lacking, you may want to consider a wifi extender.
