Difference between revisions of "Boot Someone Out of Your Network"
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===Changing Your Wireless Password=== | ===Changing Your Wireless Password=== | ||
#Connect to your wireless router’s web interface. Enter the IP address of your router into the address bar of your browser to connect. | #Connect to your wireless router’s web interface. Enter the IP address of your router into the address bar of your browser to connect. | ||
| − | #* Finding your router’s IP address from a Mac: Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences. <ref> http://routerguide.net/find-router-ip-easily-on-all-devices/</ref> Click the Network icon and highlight your Wi-Fi connection on the left side of the screen. You’ll see several IP addresses, but the one you’ll need appears next to the word Router. | + | #* Finding your router’s IP address from a Mac: Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences. <ref name="rf1"> http://routerguide.net/find-router-ip-easily-on-all-devices/</ref> Click the Network icon and highlight your Wi-Fi connection on the left side of the screen. You’ll see several IP addresses, but the one you’ll need appears next to the word Router. |
#* Finding your router’s IP address from a PC: Press {{keypress|Win}} + {{keypress|R}} to open a command prompt window. At the prompt, type ipconfig and press {{keypress|Enter}}. Look for your wireless connection (you may have to scroll up) until you see “Default Gateway.” The IP address next to that phrase is that of your wireless router. | #* Finding your router’s IP address from a PC: Press {{keypress|Win}} + {{keypress|R}} to open a command prompt window. At the prompt, type ipconfig and press {{keypress|Enter}}. Look for your wireless connection (you may have to scroll up) until you see “Default Gateway.” The IP address next to that phrase is that of your wireless router. | ||
#Enter the admin username and password. If you don’t know this information, check the sticker on your wireless router. If there’s no admin username and password, call your ISP. | #Enter the admin username and password. If you don’t know this information, check the sticker on your wireless router. If there’s no admin username and password, call your ISP. | ||
#* You can also check <nowiki>routerpasswords.com</nowiki> for a list of default router admin account information. | #* You can also check <nowiki>routerpasswords.com</nowiki> for a list of default router admin account information. | ||
#* If you’ve changed your router admin password and then lost it, you’ll need to reset your router back to its factory settings. | #* If you’ve changed your router admin password and then lost it, you’ll need to reset your router back to its factory settings. | ||
| − | #Find the router’s wireless settings. The location of these settings varies depending on the manufacturer and model.<ref>http://screenshots.portforward.com</ref> Check your router’s manual (it may be accessible online). In general, the settings you’ll need should be in an area of the site with a name like Wireless, Wireless Setup or Wi-Fi. | + | #Find the router’s wireless settings. The location of these settings varies depending on the manufacturer and model.<ref name="rf2">http://screenshots.portforward.com</ref> Check your router’s manual (it may be accessible online). In general, the settings you’ll need should be in an area of the site with a name like Wireless, Wireless Setup or Wi-Fi. |
#Change the wireless password. In the wireless settings, look for an area called Wireless Security (or something similar). You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a box that contains a password (sometimes called a key, passkey or passphrase). Enter a new password here and be sure to write it down. Click Save when you’re done. | #Change the wireless password. In the wireless settings, look for an area called Wireless Security (or something similar). You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a box that contains a password (sometimes called a key, passkey or passphrase). Enter a new password here and be sure to write it down. Click Save when you’re done. | ||
#* Passwords are case-sensitive. | #* Passwords are case-sensitive. | ||
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#* You can also check <nowiki>routerpasswords.com</nowiki> for a list of default router admin account information. | #* You can also check <nowiki>routerpasswords.com</nowiki> for a list of default router admin account information. | ||
#* If you’ve changed your router admin password and then lost it, you’ll need to reset your router back to its factory settings. | #* If you’ve changed your router admin password and then lost it, you’ll need to reset your router back to its factory settings. | ||
| − | #Find out who is connected. The list of devices connected to your network depends on the model and manufacturer of your wireless router. Browse to the router’s LAN or DHCP settings and view a list of connected devices or clients. <ref | + | #Find out who is connected. The list of devices connected to your network depends on the model and manufacturer of your wireless router. Browse to the router’s LAN or DHCP settings and view a list of connected devices or clients. <ref name="rf2" /> In addition to your unwanted visitor, you’ll also see your own computer and other devices that are supposed to be there. |
#Turn off every device connected to Wi-Fi except your computer. This includes your smartphone, other smart devices, printers, wireless speakers, other desktops and notebooks in your house. | #Turn off every device connected to Wi-Fi except your computer. This includes your smartphone, other smart devices, printers, wireless speakers, other desktops and notebooks in your house. | ||
| − | #Determine the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the unwanted visitor.<ref>https://www.iplocation.net/mac-address</ref> Every network device has its own unique MAC address, so figuring out which one belongs to the intruder will help you block them from the router. If you see a connected device besides your own, that’s the intruder (or a device you forgot to turn off—be thorough). Write down the MAC address of the device that shouldn’t be there. | + | #Determine the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the unwanted visitor.<ref name="rf3">https://www.iplocation.net/mac-address</ref> Every network device has its own unique MAC address, so figuring out which one belongs to the intruder will help you block them from the router. If you see a connected device besides your own, that’s the intruder (or a device you forgot to turn off—be thorough). Write down the MAC address of the device that shouldn’t be there. |
| − | #Block the MAC address from your router. Depending on the manufacturer and model of your wireless router, the location of these settings will vary. Look for Firewall Settings or Security Settings. In one of these locations, you should find something called Address Filtering, MAC Filtering, MAC Access List (check your router’s manual). <ref> http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=10828</ref> | + | #Block the MAC address from your router. Depending on the manufacturer and model of your wireless router, the location of these settings will vary. Look for Firewall Settings or Security Settings. In one of these locations, you should find something called Address Filtering, MAC Filtering, MAC Access List (check your router’s manual). <ref name="rf4"> http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=10828</ref> |
#* Enter the MAC address of the device you don’t want connecting to your network. Select Block or Restrict, depending on the model. | #* Enter the MAC address of the device you don’t want connecting to your network. Select Block or Restrict, depending on the model. | ||
#* Some routers don’t come with the ability to restrict access, so check your manual if you don’t see what you’re looking for. | #* Some routers don’t come with the ability to restrict access, so check your manual if you don’t see what you’re looking for. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
* Only share your wireless password with people you trust with your network. If someone uses your wireless network to hack or download illegal content, you could be responsible for the repercussions. | * Only share your wireless password with people you trust with your network. If someone uses your wireless network to hack or download illegal content, you could be responsible for the repercussions. | ||
| − | * Make your password hard to crack. Experts recommend a long password (at least 15 characters), using a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters, avoiding words that can be found in the dictionary. <ref> http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038271/make-your-passwords-harder-to-crack.html</ref> | + | * Make your password hard to crack. Experts recommend a long password (at least 15 characters), using a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters, avoiding words that can be found in the dictionary. <ref name="rf5"> http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038271/make-your-passwords-harder-to-crack.html</ref> |
| − | * Some Internet providers, such as Comcast, may configure your wireless router to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other users of their service.<ref>http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and-support/internet/disable-xfinity-wifi-home-hotspot/</ref>. Users who connect to those hotspots do not share your wireless connection, so you won’t have to worry about them using your resources. | + | * Some Internet providers, such as Comcast, may configure your wireless router to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot for other users of their service.<ref name="rf6">http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and-support/internet/disable-xfinity-wifi-home-hotspot/</ref>. Users who connect to those hotspots do not share your wireless connection, so you won’t have to worry about them using your resources. |
==Sources and Citations== | ==Sources and Citations== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{WikiHow}} | {{WikiHow}} | ||
