Is your Wi-Fi currently slow? The problem could be unknown devices connected to your WIFI network. But how can you spy on devices connected to your Wi-Fi? You can spy on unknown devices by using certain scanning tools.
These tools allow you to monitor what devices are on your network and highlight the device’s information. Furthermore, these tools can also help you restrict access to your Wi-Fi network. So, without much ado, let’s examine tools that will help you spy on any device connected to your Wi-Fi.
Software To Spy on Devices Connected to Wi-Fi
You can spy on devices connected to your Wi-Fi using certain software. Let’s look at five tools that will help you spy on devices connected to your Wi-Fi.
1. WireShark
Features:
- Live Capture and Offline Analysis
- Multi-Platform
- Standard Three-Pane Packet Browser
Wireshark is a popular packet capture tool created specifically to spy on what people are browsing in real-time. When you launch the software, it displays the IP addresses of all devices on your Wi-Fi network.
Simply choose which device you want to monitor and start spying. Afterward, you’ll see all incoming and outgoing data packets within seconds. While monitoring packets from other devices, ensure you enable promiscuous mode and set the HTTP request filter. These options can be found under the options menu.
Pros:
- Displays captured packets in real-time.
- This software enables packet sorting, grouping, and filtering.
Cons:
- Wireshark can’t modify or generate packets.
Pricing:
Wireshark is available for free
2. OpenDNS
Features:
- Parental Controls
- Customizable Web Content Filtering
- Phishing Protection
The way OpenDNS works is quite straightforward. When you try to connect to the Internet, your network traffic is routed through the router, which then routes it through your DNS provider to translate the domain name to its corresponding IP address.
So, if you switch from your default DNS server (typically provided by your internet service provider) to OpenDNS, you can easily spy on your network traffic via OpenDNS’s control panel. This will provide you with a general idea of the types of websites that people on your network visit. Not only that, but you can also block specific content such as adult websites, gambling, and so on.
Pros:
- OpenDNS is quicker and more dependable than traditional ISP DNS services.
- OpenDNS can monitor blocked websites and protect against malware.
Cons:
- The subscription plan costs more than other alternatives
Pricing:
OpenDNS offers free plans. However, the paid plan costs $20 per year.
3. Advanced IP Scanner
Features:
- MAC Addresses Detection
- No Installation Required
- Export Scan Results to CSV
Advanced IP scanner quickly scans your network to determine which IP address is being used and details about the devices connected to your network.
This app scans your router’s IP address and displays how many users are connected to your Wi-Fi. Moreover, you’ll be able to view the device type, model number, and Mac address information. Advanced IP scanner is available for all versions of Windows and can be downloaded for free from the official website.
Pros:
- This application is flexible, and you don’t need to install it before using it.
- This software is free to use.
Cons:
- Weak IP scans in comparison to paid alternatives.
Pricing:
Advanced IP scanner is another software that is available for free.
4. Glasswire
Features:
- Visual Network Monitoring
- Multiple Server Monitoring
- Discreet Alerts
GlassWire is another excellent app with a simple Network view that displays all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. This software is more than just a firewall; it also has informative graphs showing your bandwidth usage, which apps connect to your Wi-Fi, and how much bandwidth each app uses.
But what makes this app even more useful is enabling alerts whenever a new device attempts to connect to your Wi-Fi by toggling the option in the Settings panel.
Pros:
- This software provides an intuitive interface to view network traffic and usage.
- Security and other network event notifications are supported.
Cons:
- Costly subscription plans.
Pricing:
Glasswire offers users three subscription plans:
- Basic (Supporting 1 PC): $39 per year.
- Pro (Supporting up to 3 PCs): $69 per year.
- Elite (Supporting up to 10 PCs): $99 per year.
5. Fing
Features:
- Network Alerts
- Internet Speed Tests
- Scan any Network
Fing is one of the best apps for spying on all devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. The details column will display the device’s description, its operating system, the type and class of the device, and the operating system.
If it doesn’t, select a device from the list. You’ll see all the details about the connected device. Moreover, you’ll be able to manually edit the name. You can use the recognize option to manually search for connected devices in a database.
Fing is an effective app that can assist in correctly identifying difficult or unfamiliar devices. When you click the “See insights” button, all the details you need will be organized into categories such as brand names, operating systems, and product types.
Pros:
- Provides detailed information about your network.
- Effectively identifies which devices are on your network.
- Tracks when connected devices go online and offline.
- Provides useful customization options.
Cons:
- Users need some technical knowledge before using this app.
Pricing:
Fing offers one basic subscription plan at $ 6.99 per month.
How to Limit Devices Connected to My Wi-Fi
You may want to limit user activity on your Wi-Fi for various reasons. Perhaps you’re concerned about how much bandwidth is being used, or you want to guarantee that certain content isn’t accessed. Whatever your motivation, there are two effective approaches you can take.
The first option is using a third-party router with parental controls built-in. This can be a great option if you want to limit what people can do on your network. You’ll be able to block certain websites, limit internet time, and set other restrictions. Another option is to use software to limit Wi-Fi activity. You can readily find software that allows you to have total control of any device connected to your Wi-Fi network.
Conclusion
Identifying who’s using your Wi-Fi network without permission can guarantee your Wi-Fi bandwidth isn’t being misused. Hopefully, with the apps we discussed, you can accurately determine who is connected to your Wi-Fi network. Consider giving WireShark a shot; it’s our top pick for effectively spying on connected devices. Give these apps a shot, and you’ll be able to easily spy on devices connected to your Wi-Fi.
