others using my network

I have a wireless network at my home. During the day there are no problems. But in the evening it runs very slowly. This leads me to believe that when people in my neighborhood get home, they jump onto my network. How do I first determine if others are on the network. Then how do I kick them off. Please understand when you reply that you are talking to a novice and make your instructions appropriately idiot proof. Thank you so much

 

How about describing your network.. like DSL? cable? wired? wireless? hardware?

 

Are you using cable or DSL?

Have you taken any security precautions for your wireless connection?

Here's a couple helpful articles:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/bowman_05february10.mspx
http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/secure_the_network_setup.asp?TID=2

RayG

 

If you have a wireless network its probably safe to assume that you have a router or similar somewhere down the line.
I'd therefore be tempted to dig into the manual and have a look around there for any pointers in the meantime. I know that my router allows me to log onto it and see the MAC addresses of people connected to it.
*A MAC (Media Access Control) Address is a unique address physically assigned to a network device - Wifi cards have them. When you are connected to your router on your own you would see one entry corresponding to your machines MAC address... if there is more than 1 then that confirms that others are on your router.

There is also software available on this site (I'll find some links later) that will monitor for people logging onto your network... it may be worth checking those out if you have a machine constantly connected to the network...

 

Thank you all for the replies. I have a cable modem with a netgear router. It is an 80211g network. Embarassingly I'm not sure if it has been secured. I am in the process of figuring out the whole world of wireless networking. My HP Pavillion running Windows XP. Also on the network wirelessly are a Dell Dimension also running Windows XP and a Mac Powerbook. If I've left other pertinent information out, which I'm sure I have, I apologize. Again, thanks everyone for your help

 

Typically cable internet use shared services, so the more people using the cable the slower the connection/lower the bandwidth. That would account for the slower services you have described.

Think of your connection like a major highway. If there's no other traffic, you can zoom along at top speed, but during rush hour it will take you a lot longer to get from point A to point B.

RayG

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem. I've tried to secure mine at home only to fail. That is the easiest directions I've read. Thanks Halo!!

My laptop not only finds my wireless network but 3 other unsecured and 1 secured. When mine fails it automaticlly connects to the next one the list. I'm sure the others close by pick-up mine.

QuickSilver - As for the mac address on the router mine also shows the address of the Cable modem and print server thing. Thats three and its only set up to allow 1 connection. ????

Sorry I'm not stealing this thread.

Matt

 

Halo,
You're a life saver. Thank you so much. Your instructions were easy and to the point. Exactly what an inexperienced computer user like me needs As for matt69, you're quite welcome to jump on this thread. The more the merrier. I can only learn more things if more people ask questions. Thanks again!

 

2 points that I don't think have been covered:

Yes sorry I should have said that the router will also have a MAC address and any peripheral that connects to your router (such as a networ printer or wireless webcam) will also have a MAC address.. each of these have to be allowed... good call.

The other point... I too am using a Netgear router and I have the option to not broadcast my SSID (this is the name of your local network)... this will stop other users who scan for your network to be able to see it (as easily - not fool proof but enough to stop the casual plonker getting on).

I think its probably also worth noting that people may not necessarily be intending to get on your network. I used to have a neighbour with an unsecured Wireless Access Point, and occasionally Windows would connect to that by default - I'd only realise if I went to see what network I was connected to...

But MAC address filtering, a Wireless Encryption protocol, a non-default password on the router, and stopping your SSID being broadcasted are (IMO) adequate measures to stop 99% of people using your network...

 

How does one prevent the ssid from being broadcast? Also how does one use the mac address for further security? Please be as specific and step by step as possible because I need all the help I can get! Thanks in advance

 

This is using my router - I can't guaruntee that this is going to be the same for your interface so...

To prevent your SSID being broadcasted:
- Log onto your router (point a browser to 192.168.0.1 and login with your credentials).
- Under Setup I have an option called 'Wireless Settings' on the left hand pane. Select it.
- Under the Wireless Access Point settings there should be a tick-box saying something like 'Allow broadcast of name (SSID)'. Ensure it is deselected.
- Under the Wireless Station List I have a button 'Setup Access List'. Click it.
- Ensure the Turn Access Control on button is selected.
- Then add the MAC addresses for the devices you want to allow access to. Each detected device has a MAC address... the best time to do this if you're unsure of your MAC address is durring the day when you say your connection is fine... I suspect you can find your MAC address if you look at your wireless ethernet cards settings in Windows Device Manager also...
- Finally apply the changes..

I find the best way to secure a point is to do these things incrementally.

So first of all limit the MAC addresses so that your address(es) are allowed.
Then apply the Wireless Encryption stuff and ensure your connection is still fine.
Finally disable SSID broadcast...

 

Let us know how you get on...