Catch Wi-Fi Thieves

Securing your wireless network is important.  Your network uses your internet connection, which means that any activity will be traced back to you.  If you don't secure your network, someone sitting in their car could implicate you for trafficking drugs or child porn.  (Yes, it has happened.)  If you don't know how to secure your network, you can read the tip I wrote on this back in July here.

However, what do you do if you think that someone is on your network (even if it is secured).  You can try logging into the router's home page, but my router's home page gives me very little information about the devices that are connected.  In order to determine which device is which, I have to disconnect each device and refresh the page to see what disappeared.  Plus, if you forget about a device (like I forgot about the Roku player when I tried doing this), you may think there is an intruder on your network.

Fortunately, there is an easier way.  SoftPerfect's WiFi Guard will scan your network and give you additional information about connected devices.  Looking at my network, I can clearly see my computer, my network printer, my MagicJack phone, and my Roku.  There is one other device that is not recognized, but I believe that it is probably a smartphone or tablet.

WiFi Guard will put a green or red light next to each connected device to show whether or not it recognizes it.  When I scanned the first time, only my computer and the router were listed as green.  If you recognize the device and want it to stop flagging it, simply double-click the device and check "I know this computer or device".

If you want to get even more advanced, you can set the program to email you when an unrecognized device connects to your network.  This is the perfect way to monitor your network when you're not around.

This program is NOT a substitute for a secure network.  Even if you quickly recognize and block an intruder, they still have had time to use your network for whatever nefarious purpose they might have.  However, it is good for keeping track of your connected devices and determining if someone is accessing your network without your permission.

This program is free for Windows and Linux users, but it costs $9.99 for Mac users.  You can download SoftPerfect's WiFi Guard using one of these links:
SoftPerfect WiFi Guard - Windows/Linux
SoftPerfect WiFi Guard - Mac