How can I tell if my neighbors are using my Internet access?

Answer 1

If you are using a Linksys router, start up the router page (usually 192.168.1.1, password admin). Go the the STATUS tab, LOCAL NETWORK, DHCP Clients Table. This is different with different mfr.

If see a pc other than your pc names, someone else might be jumping on. Your wireles router might have a security wizard that take you through all the settings. Be sure to write down all the names and numbers it has you enter, you'll need them to set up your pc to match.

Here's a list I've been working on for a while. Some of it is quite techy, sorry.

Wireless Security:

Change Default Password
Routers ship with simple default passwords like ‘admin’. Change the default password to something more difficult. Longer passwords that use a combination of letters and numbers are best. IF YOU DON'T CHAGE IT, someone can hijack your router.

Change Router IP Address
Most routers ship with a default IP address such as 192.168.1.1
Change the IP to something like 193.169.2.120 (each number less than 256). This with slow down intruders casually scanning the network.

SSID
The SSID is the name of your wireless network, choose a complex name up to 32 characters long. Set all your computers on the network to use the same name.

Then disable the broadcast of the SSID. Most wireless routers have a check box in the control panel for disabling the broadcast of the SSID. Broadcasting the SSID allows computers to easily find your network, so turn it off.

DHCP Server
One great security measure is to disable the DHCP server. This will require that all computers that are authorized to connect to the network be configured manually, but it will prevent unauthorized computers from obtaining an IP address automatically and jumping onto your network.

Security
Set up WPA, or “Wi-Fi Protected Access,” it’s an improvement over WEP. All your pc’s must use the same settings.

Router Position
Wireless routers have a range of up to a few hundred feet in open space. When installed inside a home, this range decreases greatly due to walls, but the signal may still be strong enough to carry outside or to the next apartment. So put the router as close to the center of the house as possible.

hope this helps!

AND, of course, you could turn it off when you're not using it!!!

Answer 2

You can bring up a console for your wireless modem/router and from the menus find the item that tells you what computers are connected. If it isn't your computer(s), they are hacking your connection. Your internet provider can tell you how to do this.

If it is wireless, just enable the WEP or WPA security features of your wireless modem/router. They will have a difficult time hacking the security. There are additional ways to keep them off your connection, but that's the easiest way to keep most people out because it isn't worth the effort to hack. Your internet provider can also tell you how to do this.

Answer 3

hi there,
as almost all wireless router have by defalt encreption off. so 1st of all i like to say u encreption will make your internet connection bit slower. so what i suggest u is use MAC filter so now only your laptop can access internet rest cant. follow this link, if u have linksys. open browser type 192.168.1.1 and it will give u login. if u know password login as same ( read your router manual, if u dont know password, it will give u by defalt password) now go to wireless section and try to fine wireless MAC filter Type your MAC address ( u can find your MAC by go to command promt type ipconfig\all) and save this configuration now also change password if its by defalt, if u will follow this step it will show you your wireless network is not safe but still no other ppls can access your network u can try with any other laptop. u can add up to 50 Computer in your network. regard....winner of hear...:)

Answer 4

If you have a wireless router, you should enable the security settings to keep anyone else out.

If you don't have wireless, the only way they're using your internet is by plugging into your modem (which you would probably know about).

Answer 5

contact your cable or dsl provider and tell them that you think they might be doing so. they will secretly put a tracking device on the line to determine if they neighbors are stealing access to the line, and if so, guess what.... CROWBAR HOTEL for them. Good luck! Or you could just confront them and threaten to do this. -john (rock island, il)

Answer 6

get a time online report from your internet provider it will tell you the times you were online then you can figure out if you were online at those times and if you werent someone else used your access

Answer 7

If you have a router some of them have a acesslog. If the log is turned off turn it on and look later.

Answer 8

through your network gateway... or just go into you router settings if you have one.. and change the settings.. ( i am not going to list the steps here.. this is the internet.. search engine = better answers then this site)

Answer 9

Did you encrypt your wireless?

Answer 10

If it's a wireless let them use it, they'll pray for ya