Ever wondered why there are moments when the speed of your usually fast WiFi dropped out of the blue? Do you know who’s linked to the router of your WiFi network? Have a look at the list of devices plugged into your WiFi network from your PC or router to find this out. Remember that today, a lot of devices can be hooked to your wireless connection. The device list can include computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs, wireless printers,and more.

Scan With Windows

Today, a WiFi password is just not secure enough to keep a stranger or your next door neighbor from tapping into your connection without your consent. You notice this when websites or file transfers aren’t loading as quickly as they used to. Sometimes, however, the problem is not WiFi theft, but merely a case of way too many devices sharing a single connection. To avoid this, a free Windows app is available for you to use.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Download and install Who Is on My WiFi (WIOMW).

2. Launch the app and follow the tutorial steps provided. This will launch a computer scan. When the scan is completed, a list of IP addresses will appear. Each address will be determined by their MAC address and local IP address.

3. Get started distinguishing the devices on your network. If the list shows several connections, it will be easier to turn on the WiFi connection one unit at a time for labeling. To label, simply click the “Description” box on the relevant line, key in a name or description, and then save it.

With these three steps, you will be able to pinpoint the gadgets you can disable, for the time being, to make your connection faster. WIOMW also provides a solution for WiFi theft. If you discover that someone is, in fact, leeching on your WiFi, it is best to change your password. On a personal router, simply sign in with the credentials you used when you set it up. If you have a modem-router-combo given by your ISP, the procedure can be more complex. Find the make and model of the modem to get the default login access. If you can’t find it, it’s simpler to get hold of your ISP to assist you with the password reset.

Scan with a Software

The best way to check for connected devices to your WiFi is through the web interface. However, not all routers offer this feature. If so, look for a scanning tool as an alternative. This is a software that will run on your computer and scan the WiFi network. It will list the active devices attached on your network. The only drawback of this method is the lack of information about the devices attached to your network that are currently offline. However, if this is not a deal-breaker for you, scanning with a software is a pretty good alternative.

Shops that sell laptops and PC accessories can attest that whether there’s an issue or even just as a precautionary move, it is smart to be familiar with what devices are connected to your home network.