Is there any way to see the computers that are using my wireless internet?

Question

I am using a windows XP operating system and I have a wireless router connected to my computer so that my father can get the wireless signals and log on to the internet in the other room.But i also think that other people can use my internet connection wirelessly.
Is there any way to see all the people who are using my wireless signals coming from my router?Plz help me as i only want my dad to use these signals and not anyone else.

I use CompUsa wireless broadband router.If there is no other way i will put password.PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

There's a way to be pretty sure that only your dad can connect to your wireless router. Every wireless adapter installed in a computer has what is called a MAC address. It's a unique string of numbers that identifies a wireless network adapter on the network. If your router has what is called "MAC address filtering" you can specify that only you're dad's MAC address can connect to the router, but it's tricky and a bit technical. You have to first identify your dad's wireless card's MAC address. The only way I know to do that is to pull out your dad's wireless card, if it's a desktop, good luck, that's more technical, but if it's a laptop, pop out the PCMCIA wireless card. The wireless network cards usually have the MAC address written on them. The next and final step is to go into your wireless router's setup program and edit the MAC Address filter list (If your router has that feature, most do). Most of the time you have to enter a url address into your web browser to get into your router's setup program (every router does it differently,192.168.1.1 is common for Linksys routers). Once in the setup program you have to play with your router's wireless security settings. MAC Address filtering is usually an advanced setting. If you get that far, you're usually presented with a list in which you can enter MAC addresses and specify their connection rules. You can enter just your dad's MAC address and tell it to allow only that MAC address to connect to the router (nobody else in the world, except maybe advanced hackers will be able to connect to your router). It's all really technical though and only the tech savvy and the brave attempt it. If you know someone who's familiar with wireless, they might be able to help you do this.

Answer 2

Yes there is. Most routers have this feature and most have a web server were you can to connect to check this.

Find out the routers IP address
in your father's computer if its windows click start --> run --> type in cmd.exe and hit enter
--> a black window will appear --> type ipconfig.exe -->
A list will be displayed look for the wireless network adapter look for the row that say default gateway a number like xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx should be there that is the routers ip address.
type in the number on the url bar of internet explorer

This differs from router to router but you should look for dhcp settings and then look for a log or a list.

You should post this question with the router brand an model to make the answer more specific.

Answer 3

First off you need to enable security, at least WEP on your network so that nobody who doesn't know the password can use your connection. Someone in a car could use your wireless network to post child porn or terrorist messages and it would trace directly back to you. Do you think these creeps really use their own internet connection for that? Seriously you need to get this secured.

Secondly in your wireless router's logs you can see which comptuers log on and off and at what time. It's in the administration screen. But a good hacker could make it look like your computer. That's why you need a password. They will just move on to the next person with an unsecured connection rather than try to hack your password. You should be able to download a manual for your router brand if you lost yours.

Answer 4

There should be an option in your router to check the ARP table. That'll show you what computers connected to your wireless router.

You can use MAC filtering to only allow your dad and yourself to connect wirelessly. To find a computer's MAC address, (on an XP machine) go to start, run, type in 'cmd' and press enter, and then on the black screen, type 'ipconfig /all'. It will be listed as 'Physical Address'.

Answer 5

Generally speaking, yes. Most routers have a feature that shows what computers are connected.

But if you really only want your father using your wireless connection, then you must put a password and/or other security features on it.

Answer 6

If it has a wireless adapter then you can definitely use wi-fi but just have to set the settings. You can check out the following link.

Answer 7

if you do not set up a password for your connection, then anyone within close enough proximity to your signal can use your connection.

it depends on the connect you use, open the connection options where you first set up the connection, there is usually a list of users, this is also where you can set up a passkey so that no one but authorized users can use your connection.

Answer 8

I need more info first, router brand. You need to find the router ip, and only allow your dad's pc MAC address to be allowed to receive signals, also set up a password with neavy encryption.

Answer 9

You can log into your router and find "Active session" or something similar. In there, you can see who are using your connection. Anyway it's better and safe to set security.

Answer 10

Nope.

One of the dangers of wireless.
And make sure you have a firewall. (maybe Zone Alarm - not free or AVG - free!)
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