An unfamiliar device in your router’s connected-device list is a reason to investigate, not proof that a stranger is using your Wi-Fi. Check the router or internet provider’s app or management page, match each entry against the devices in your home and recent guests, and change your Wi-Fi credentials if a device remains unexplained. Then change the separate router administrator password and update the router’s security settings.
How to check which devices are connected
- Open your router or ISP’s app or management page. Use the sign-in instructions for your specific router or internet provider; there is no universal menu path. Look for a list called “connected devices,” “wireless clients,” “attached devices” or “DHCP clients.” The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describes these locations in its guide to securing internet-connected devices at home.
- Make a household inventory. Check phones, computers, consoles, TVs, cameras, printers, smart speakers and appliances, as well as devices belonging to guests who have used the network. Some smart-home devices have names that are difficult to recognize, so do not assume an unfamiliar label belongs to a stranger. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) notes this issue in its Wi-Fi and router security guidance.
- Compare the list with what you know. If an entry is still unclear, check the device details shown in the router app or management page and consult the device or router documentation. A live list may not show a device that is asleep or offline, so the absence of a familiar device at a particular moment does not establish that it is disconnected for good.
An odd device name is not, by itself, proof of unauthorized access. Likewise, slow internet or interruptions do not identify who—or what—may be using the network. The router’s device list is the practical place to investigate, but each entry needs to be identified before you draw a conclusion.
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What to do if a device remains unknown
If you cannot match a device to your household or a guest, change both the Wi-Fi network name and password. This removes access for devices that do not have the new credentials. Your own phones, computers and other connected devices will need to join again with the updated details.
Also change the router administrator password. It is different from the Wi-Fi password: the administrator password controls access to router settings, including the ability to change the Wi-Fi password. Use unique passwords rather than factory defaults or credentials reused on other accounts. The FTC explains these protections in its home Wi-Fi security guide.
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- Sign in to the router or ISP app or management page using the documented instructions for your equipment.
- Change the Wi-Fi network name and password, then save the settings.
- Change the router administrator password separately.
- Reconnect your own devices using the new Wi-Fi details. If your router broadcasts more than one active network, check each one and update its credentials as needed; the available settings depend on the equipment.
Harden the router and check access again
- Use a strong encryption setting. Choose WPA3 Personal if your router and devices support it. If WPA3 is unavailable, use WPA2 Personal. Avoid leaving the network on an older or weaker security option when a supported alternative is available.
- Update router firmware. Apply updates through the router maker’s or ISP’s official app, management page or support instructions. Menus and update procedures vary by model.
- Set up a guest network for visitors. A guest network gives visitors a separate way to connect without sharing the main network password. Its isolation and other features vary by router, so consult the equipment’s documentation.
- Review optional network features. The FTC recommends turning off remote management, WPS and UPnP when they are not needed. UPnP can be required by some connected devices or services, so check their requirements before disabling it.
After saving changes, review the connected-device list again and reconnect only the devices you recognize. The ACSC recommends performing a router health check at least every six months; this is a suggested checkup interval, not a guarantee that a router is secure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to contact support or replace the router
Contact your ISP or router manufacturer if you cannot access the management page, cannot change the relevant settings, or still see unexplained access after updating credentials. If you are considering a factory reset, follow the official manual or support instructions for your model: reset behavior varies, and a reset may erase network configuration.
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Replacement is a last resort, not the first response to an unfamiliar device name. Consider a new router if the existing device cannot support WPA2 after an update or has reached end of life and no longer receives security updates. Check that a replacement works with your ISP, supports WPA3 or WPA2, and receives ongoing security updates; automatic firmware updates are a useful feature to look for. The FTC and ACSC provide guidance on router security and replacement in their Wi-Fi security recommendations and router guidance.
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