Securing Wireless Router.

[Daffy6543]

I am getting sick to death of strangers stealing my wireless connection (Sky broadband home hub), it is secured via WAP 2 and I have changed the password and SSID repeatedly over the last few days, I have changed the router password repeatedly, stopped the SSID being broadcast all to no avail, there are at least 3 different devices keep appearing in my network and it is really peeing me off!

Does anyone have any idea what I can do to stop these thieving barstewards?

[Daffy6543]

The devices are named and are definitely not our devices, one is names California and is an Alcatel mobile, one has some odd name like royssxcs and is a Samsung phone, the other says it is a Texas instruments device. Our phones are Nokia, HTC and Blackberry, no other family member or friend has the new PW.

[UKSWF]

I think you may find these are other wireless networks within range, they are not necessarily using your bandwidth (signal) if yours is password protected you should be fine.

[Daffy6543]

These are devices connected to my network, I can view them in my network map and on the router page.

[Daffy6543]

I do know the difference between my network and others within range btw. I just need to know if there is anything I can do or buy that will make my wireless connection un-hackable.

[Daffy6543]

and now another thief has appeared, this one is using an HP Slate which I assume is a tablet.

[dunnitall]

I know I was told to change the internal password to about 20 at least characters and numbers long, hopefully it did the trick for me as I don't notice any hackers etc.

[mikey4444]

There is something not quite right here.

What do you mean when you say someone is stealing your wireless ? I'm not sure you can prevent your router being "seen" by other computers within range. I can "see" about 6 others routers on my tablet and my Iphone at the moment, but they are all locked and therefore I can't get in. I can't see how anybody can use your router to access the 'net if you locked your router and put a new P/W on it ?

Daffy...I think, with respect, that you are getting things a bit mixed up.
"I can view them in my network map and on the router page"...yes, of course you can and they can see you but it can't mean that they are accessing the 'net THROUGH your router.

Unless anybody else has other ideas, I think you are worrying unnecessarily.
Nobody is stealing anything !

[Jomlett]

Are you sure its Network? It sounds like you're reading the Bluetooth devices available...

[Daffy6543]

I am not getting mixed up at all, I do have some knowledge of tech and considerable knowledge of PC hardware, I am a little hazy when it comes to router settings though.

I DO KNOW the difference between other network SSIDs and my own.

When I open the network map on my PC I see my own PC, my son's PC, my router name and any other devices that are currently connected to the router either wirelessly or wired.

If I wanted to connect a wireless device, for example my phone, I would scan for available networks from that phone and would get a display of nearby networks and be informed of their signal strength and whether they are secure.

[Daffy6543]

MY PC does not have bluetooth.

[Tuvok]

Just to clear things up - do you mean that when you login to the admin feature of your hub that is when you see these devices?

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/view-routerstats.html


If so, delete them from the hubs memory.

Or is it when you view network connections on the computer?

http://help.sky.com/broadband/set-up-sky-broadband/connect-to-your-wireless-network

[Daffy6543]

Both, logged in I can see they are connected wirelessly and also when I view the network page.

[Tuvok]

I know with my BT hub that I can see what has previously been granted access and I know that I can delete them.

I would suggest that if its possible to do so with your hub, then delete them and see if they reappear.

[Tuvok]

Also, are you sure its the wireless password, not the hub admin password that you've changed?

What model of hub have you got?

[Daffy6543]

I have tried everything that has been suggested to no avail. I think I may have to just completely disable the wireless network :-/

[Daffy6543]

I have changed both tuvok, also renamed the SSID.

[Daffy6543]

btw, the first post should say WPA 2 not WAP 2. I am so angry and frustrated at these freeloaders that I am not paying attention to my typing.

[Tuvok]

Post the model of the hub - you never know fresh eyes may spot something if there are screenshots to look at on the internet of its settings.

[Daffy6543]

Thank you everyone for your answers and for trying to help. I have resorted to switching off the wireless and will only be connecting on a wired connection from now on, I have orders in for some very long Ethernet cables so my son can still play Xbox live and PS 3 in his room :)