Is my home network being hacked?

PFarrey · 21 Nov 2015 at 20:10

Hi,

I have a Virgin Media router with various switches on my network. Recently I have been booting up my main PC and have noticed under 'network' a mobile phone is showing up which I don't recognise. It is a Huawei model which is currently not showing up on my network. Nobody in my house as a Huawei phone.

Can anyone advise on what I should do or how I can prevent anyone from accessing my network? My WIFI is password protected. I have neighbours next door who are within range of my WIFI. They have teenage kids so it is possible one of them is capable of computer misuse.

Craig321 · 21 Nov 2015 at 20:22

If you have a decent password with WPA2 security then they likely won't be able to get in. If you think they have your password or it's a weak password then just change it.

You could also hide your network SSID to stop your average person even thinking about trying to get in.

Moley · 21 Nov 2015 at 20:24

Its more likely a device with a Huawei Wifi chipset than a Huawei phone to be honest. Go around your house turning off any and all devices that could be connecting to the WiFi and see if it disappears. If not, set a decent WPA2 password on the Wifi and make sure you change any admin passwords on your router.

Steveocee · 21 Nov 2015 at 20:24

Win10 by any chance? I'm sure it's a bug with Windows 10 that creates this.

Obviously ignore if you are on anything other.

Caged · 21 Nov 2015 at 20:30

I assume it's a Huawei networking device being incorrectly identified with a mobile phone icon.

What does the properties panel for it show?

leigh_boy · 22 Nov 2015 at 17:27

if your router has WPS (4 digit code to connect) it can be hacked in under 3 hours

mmj_uk · 22 Nov 2015 at 17:44

Funnily enough I just looked under Network on my system and see a phone icon, no idea what device it is either certainly not mine.

I don't see any other devices connected to my router so not sure where it's coming from.

edit: it seems to be fairly widespread:
http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/12630-someones-phone-connected-my-network-why-how.html

quackers · 22 Nov 2015 at 20:08

log into the router and have a look what's connected

Hyburnate · 22 Nov 2015 at 20:14

Lots of mobile devices 'roam' for lack of better term and your Windows shows them as they are local. They're not on your local network.

APM · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:08

MAC filtering?

bledd · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:16

Change your SSID, change the password to something longer.

Semple · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:22

Cross-reference the IP with all your devices.

If none of your devices have the IP, then boot it from the network and change the password.

Space Monkey · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:49

Turn off WPS in the router, should stop this happening