How to Prevent Unauthorized WiFi Access?

What would you do if someone is using your Wi-Fi without permission? How can you determine if your WiFi is being accessed by unauthorized users? If you usually experience fast download speeds, smooth video streaming, and quick web browsing, but suddenly notice a significant slowdown in your internet speed, it's time to be vigilant as it could be a sign of someone using your WiFi network. To check if your WiFi is being accessed by unauthorized users, enter the router's management IP address in a web browser, access the login interface, and enter the router's administration page. If you find unfamiliar devices in the list of connected devices (client list), it indicates that your WiFi network may be accessed by unauthorized users.

Being a victim of WiFi leeching can be quite frustrating. So, how can you protect yourself from unauthorized users? Let me explain it to you.

• Change the router's login password
• Hide the WiFi signal
• Bind MAC addresses
• Strengthen the router's password
• Avoid using WiFi cracking software
• Disable DHCP functionality

If your router's login password is still the default "admin," please log in and navigate to the System Tools menu. In the Administration section, immediately change the login password. Set a more complex password for your WiFi network, avoiding simple and easily guessable passwords like "123456," "11111111," or "admin888." If you're concerned about forgetting a complex password, you can write it down on a small note and stick it to your router to ensure you don't forget it.

Tips: Please note that WiFi passwords have different encryption types with varying levels of security. WEP is the lowest, while WPA2-PSK/AES is the highest.

In the router's administration interface, locate the "Wireless Network Settings" and uncheck the option "Enable Wireless Network Name (SSID) Broadcast." By disabling SSID broadcast, you can hide the Wi-Fi network name, making it less likely to be detected by others. This will significantly reduce the chances of unauthorized users leeching onto your network.

To prevent unauthorized devices from using your WiFi network, you can check the MAC addresses of your own devices and add them to the wireless MAC address filter in your router's settings.

• For a computer, you can find the MAC address in the "Properties" section of the network adapter settings.
• For an iPhone, go to "Settings - General - About" and look for "WiFi Address" to find the MAC address.
• For an Android phone, go to "Settings > WiFi Settings." Tap the "Menu" button and select "Advanced" to access the device's MAC address.

By adding these MAC addresses to the wireless MAC address filter, other devices will not be able to connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Setting a complex password is also an effective method to prevent unauthorized access to your WiFi network. In the router's administration interface, go to "Wireless Network Security Settings" and enable WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption. Set a password that includes a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This will effectively protect your Wi-Fi network from being compromised or hacked by unauthorized users.

Many people are accustomed to using WiFi password cracking software, which often includes an automatic WiFi password sharing feature. Once this feature is enabled and someone connects to your WiFi network using the same cracking software, your WiFi password will be automatically shared with them, allowing nearby users to easily piggyback on your network.

After logging into the router management interface, navigate to the LAN IP settings and disable the DHCP service. By turning off the DHCP function, the router will no longer automatically assign IP addresses to wireless clients, preventing them from accessing the network even if they know the WiFi signal.