Someone stealing my wifi...

[toughtrasher]

Hi, I have a CLEAR router. I've logged into the network (using 192.168.x.x on the browser) and see on the DHCP lease section that someone with an unknown name is using my WiFi.

I've checked through all the devices that I use that are connected and not one of them have the MAC address that this guy has. I want to kick him out.

I don't want to change the password because the family doesn't like having to change passwords frequently and remembering them each time. I know this is a hassle but I'd rather learn how to take someone's MAC address and just ban them from the network.

Please help me.

PS: I am using a CLEAR network router, and in the network login place, there is not "MAC filtering" section. Only place I found the MAC address and IP assigned to him is through the DHCP Lease section.

Thank you so much Anandtech!!

 

[JackMDS]

Faking MAC address is thousands time easier then Breaking WPA and above pass word.

If you are using WPA2 (WPA-AES) password, then my guess would be that someone gave the intruder your password.

Faking MAC address is thousands times easier then Breaking WPA and above passwords.

 

[lif_andi]

I think I'm right in saying that most home networking devices don't have a MAC ban list, but rather a MAC permit list. If you find one, you can allow MAC addresses to your network and all others will be banned.

Also makes more sense.

 

[toughtrasher]

I think I'm right in saying that most home networking devices don't have a MAC ban list, but rather a MAC permit list. If you find one, you can allow MAC addresses to your network and all others will be banned.

Also makes more sense.

Yup, anything to do with banning or allowing MAC addresses it what I need.

Again, I understand the security with a password but the family doesn't want one and it isn't an option right now.

The whole point of this thread is to ask if anyone has a CLEAR router and knows where to do this because I can't find it. On other routers (based on what I've seen from the internet), it's easier to find the MAC address ban/allow list.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

MAC filtering does absolutely nothing to protect you, MAC addresses can be sniffed and cloned with ease. Your best bet is to reset the password and make sure it is secure. It doesnt have to be rotated as long as nobody is leaking it out.

 

[John Connor]

I don't understand. The password doesn't have to be remembered. Once you input the password into the WIFI connection client software it is saved and will auto connect. Go here and chose a 64 digit password. Save it to a USB stick and update all the passwords. Nothing to remember! This is what I have. You probably could get by with a 15 digit password.

Anyone that has access to your network can download and haxx crap. If he's caught guess what? They arrest you!

 

[nickbits]

My wifi password is 77777777. It has served me well, feel free to use it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Let's ask OP about the complexity of the WIFI password? How many digits? All alphanumeric? Any special symbols? Likely to be composed of words in a dictionary?

 

[boomerang]

Let's ask OP about the complexity of the WIFI password? How many digits? All alphanumeric? Any special symbols? Likely to be composed of words in a dictionary?

In post #4 he tells us that there is no password being used. His network is open and therefore unsecured.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

Whitelisting mac adresses is much more effort and much less secure than just entering a password on all devices once.

Your family is going to have to deal with it imo, running wifi without a password is a terrible idea.

 

[John Connor]

I don't want to change the password because the family doesn't like having to change passwords frequently and remembering them each time. I know this is a hassle but I'd rather learn how to take someone's MAC address and just ban them from the network.

He says he has a password, but doesn't want to change it. All you have to do is copy a password to a USB stick and copy/paste it into the WIFI connection software and it will auto connect. You don't have to keep entering a password!!!!!

 

[azazel1024]

Other thing, is this an ISP supplied router? Have a repair technician come by any time recently? How long are your DHCP leases and when was the suspect one last given? You sure you don't have a friend/family member who has a device you don't know about how has been by recently?

What about rebooting the router, is that MAC showing up promptly in the DHCP lease list (IE they are requesting a new lease right away)?

I'd just say change the password, make sure it is WPA2 and make sure its a sufficiently long and complex password. Try not to use real worlds. At least 8 characters with at least one upper case and lower case, at least one number and a special character wouldn't hurt either.

You only gotta enter the wifi password once in your device and then you are done.

Write it on a slip of paper and tape it on the router/near the router if you need to. Write it on a chalk/whiteboard in your kitchen if you need to.

 

[Smoove910]

why not just reduce the amount of addresses your DHCP gives out to the exact # of devices in the household? Once he/she tries to obtain an IP address, there will be none in the pool per your designation.

 

[cubby1223]

why not just reduce the amount of addresses your DHCP gives out to the exact # of devices in the household? Once he/she tries to obtain an IP address, there will be none in the pool per your designation.

Or he gets one and one of your own devices is shut out...

 

[imagoon]

why not just reduce the amount of addresses your DHCP gives out to the exact # of devices in the household? Once he/she tries to obtain an IP address, there will be none in the pool per your designation.

It takes less than 10 seconds to setup static after sniffing for less than a second to get the network,subnetwork and gateway addresses.

Likely if the encryption was broken, he running something that takes sub 15 seconds to break like WEP and needs to use WPA2, change the password once and be done.

 

[smitbret]

My family won't use a password and someone keeps stealing my WiFi.

How do I secure my network without actually securing it?

Sounds like more of a social issue than a networking issue.

 

[riahc3]

You only have to change your password ONCE more....

Even something like "9z!A" is more secure than whatever you want.

Also, if you don't like password changing, Im almost willing to bet that your router is still using the default user/pass.

BTW, saying its a "CLEAR router" doesn't say anything; We need a maker, model number, etc....

 

[PliotronX]

The way I see it is if "the family" is your wife and kids and it is your house, you dictate the password to keep your network safe, they can bitch and moan all they want. It may be different if the roof and internet connection are not under your name but I'd still make the call to do what is necessary. Inform them that someone is intruding and that their data is in jeopardy, they may sing a different tune.

 

[Eeqmcsq]

Every mobile phone has some kind of notepad app nowadays. Your family could type in the password in their phone's notepad. Then they don't have to memorize the password.

 

[Uhtrinity]

My family won't use a password and someone keeps stealing my WiFi.

How do I secure my network without actually securing it?

Sounds like more of a social issue than a networking issue.

I totally agree. You believe you have a breach, the solution with your options is to change to a secure password. Any other excuse is unreasonable. Either you secure it or you don't. If I had a client making such demands they would most likely no longer be clients.

 

[azazel1024]

I totally agree. You believe you have a breach, the solution with your options is to change to a secure password. Any other excuse is unreasonable. Either you secure it or you don't. If I had a client making such demands they would most likely no longer be clients.

It would depend on the precise money$$$/unreasonable whining ratio was.

If enough $$$ somebody can whine at me all day long. Though, in general, I don't need that kind of crap and few are willing to pay enough to make me tolerate it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Either you secure it or you don't.

Bottom line here, really. Either put a WPA2-PSK (AES) password on your wifi, or leave it open for the neighborhood, and live with the consequences.

 

[Uhtrinity]

It would depend on the precise money$$$/unreasonable whining ratio was.

If enough $$$ somebody can whine at me all day long. Though, in general, I don't need that kind of crap and few are willing to pay enough to make me tolerate it.

Well, in my experience the ones who do the most whining are the same ones that won't take my advice and don't pay the big $$. So I discreetly let them know they need a 2nd opinion.