Is there a way to determine who is on your SSID?

[rdilauro]

I keep an OPEN SSID with broadcast so that people that come to my house can easily join the network.

If I disable Broadcast, then the IPADs and IPHONEs have problems finding the SSID.

But, is there a way to see who is actually using your SSID? I want to see who is using my bandwidth.

I have Charter, Wifi with their Router/Modem. Everything works fine in the house. I also have a Blue-Ray DVD, which I can connect to, but will drop.
The other night I had the Blue-Ray on all night and our IPADS and IPHONE would not connect. The moment, I close down the blue-ray, both IPADs and IPHONES got to the network SSID.

Sounds to me like a bandwidth problem, so I am trying to see who is actually using my SSID

 

[Fardringle]

What wireless router do you have? Most routers have the ability to at least show the names of the devices that are connected. That won't always tell you anything useful unless the device is named as something that you recognize but it is a place to start.

Some routers will also show you statistics such as time connected, bandwidth used, etc. for each device that is connected to the router.

Instead of having a completely unsecured wireless connection, it would be better to secure the connection with a password. Even a very simple password (to make it easy for your guests) will help limit the ability for other people (such as neighbors) to use your connection without permission. A stronger password is better, of course.


edit: Disabling the SSID broadcast does absolutely nothing for security, and as you have seen, can cause connection problems for some devices.

 

[rdilauro]

Charter is using a Netgear Modem/Router.

I am now reset to using a secured network under WPA2-PSK (AES) Easy enough password for those I want to allow to join the network.

I will have to see how this does with overall performance (good or bad)

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_watcher.html

 

[John Connor]

The ISP's TOS may limit you to have an open network and if someone downloads child porn or does some hacking using your WIFI connection the FBI will blame you! I would at least use WEP or better WPA2 encryption and set a simple password like Password-1234. Something that easy can be brute forced, but at least you prevent a lot of people getting in.

Hiding the SSID does nothing!

 

[RadiclDreamer]

The ISP's TOS may limit you to have an open network and if someone downloads child porn or does some hacking using your WIFI connection the FBI will blame you! I would at least use WEP or better WPA2 encryption and set a simple password like Password-1234. Something that easy can be brute forced, but at least you prevent a lot of people getting in.

Hiding the SSID does nothing!

Hiding the SSID only keeps the casual user at bay, anyone with even a small degree of skill can find it easily and join.

 

[lexco]

Charter is using a Netgear Modem/Router.
I am now reset to using a secured network under WPA2-PSK (AES) Easy enough password for those I want to allow to join the network.
I will have to see how this does with overall performance (good or bad)

Netgear has The Attached Devices table under Maintenance tab. You can go to maintenance tab directly from the main menu.

You will see the name of the device, IP address and MAC address (more important because it is permanent)

I keep an OPEN SSID with broadcast so that people that come to my house can easily join the network.

If I disable Broadcast, then the IPADs and IPHONEs have problems finding the SSID.

But, is there a way to see who is actually using your SSID? I want to see who is using my bandwidth.

I have Charter, Wifi with their Router/Modem. Everything works fine in the house.

I also have a Blue-Ray DVD, which I can connect to, but will drop.
The other night I had the Blue-Ray on all night and our IPADS and IPHONE would not connect. I had used Mobile data services with Android a lot time but changed to Charter. The moment, I close down the blue-ray, both IPADs and IPHONES got to the network SSID.

Sounds to me like a bandwidth problem, so I am trying to see who is actually using my SSID

Never keep your wireless network open. If anyone do something illegal by using your wireless network, it is you who will be in trouble. If you want to make an easy connection for your guests, create a guest wireless account with lesser privileges.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Even the guest account that many routers provide still make it possible for people to do illegal things with your connection, you really need to trust who is on your guest connection and make sure it is just as password protected as your main SSID