Other peoples phones on my network?

Neil79 · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:10

I generally don't check my network via file explorer, because it's only since I've got a new TV that I've started to see if it was connecting for streaming. But every so often, other peoples phones keep appearing and I'm wondering is this normal?

I've set up my router to only allow specific mac codes through, but they are still showing up

Jez · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:11

Are you not running any encryption? No thats certainly not normal

hughtrimble · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:12

Is it 100% not yours? Mine shows up sometimes as a label like that, and other times as what I've named it...for some reason.

Neil79 · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:14

Jez said:
Are you not running any encryption? No thats certainly not normal

I'm sure I am, how do I check?

And no last night I had multiple phones showing up

Neil79 · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:23

Checked router : WPA2-PSK (AES) & WPA2-PSK Security Encryption is enabled with password set.

Enable Wireless Access Point
Enable WPS
Allow Broadcast of Name (SSID)

Was enabled ^

:

Wireless Station Access List

Trusted List : My Phone d0:5b:*

Jamesyboyjim · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:34

You haven't been opted in to turn your router into a public hotspot have you? I know lots of isp's do this now. I know it shouldn't show up on your network or use your own bandwidth though.

Perhaps just change the password, see if that kicks it off.

Can you browse the contents of these strange phones? Would be interesting to access the photo library's

tom_e · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:39

Go and hunt down the owner of a HTC Desire and interrogate them until you get your answer.

ov_sjo · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:39

Sure they're not connecting using bluetooth?

Orcvader · 20 Sep 2016 at 11:40

It's a random Windows bug that's been persisting for a while now. It shows phones nearby scanning for networks but not actually connected to your wireless.

There's a couple of fixes here: http://superuser.com/questions/976750/windows-10-phones-appearing-in-network

Solution: I disabled WPS (also called WCN in Windows) on the router.

In the forum, someone solved this by disabling the Windows service "Windows Connect Now". If you have many PCs on the network that solution is not the best. So, modifying the router setting for WPS stops this for all PCs.

Neil79 · 20 Sep 2016 at 16:44

Ah thanks Orcvader, that may be it

and thanks everyone else who replied, they don't seem to be able to browser the computer as such and only things that are accessing the folders are the ones set, such as my TV. Even then it's only the public ones, docs/pics etc ( these are empty bar the odd tv episode )