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Random devices on my network displayed in Windows explorer under the network section
Random devices that i did not connect to my network are popping up under the Network section of Windows Explorer. However, when i check on my Netgear Router settings, none of these devices appear anyw...
- That is a WINDOWS bug... All my computers would show a phone connected to the network. Router access list would not. Explorer wouldn't show it on the network either.
Others have posted about this as well on the web, http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/12630-someones-phone-connected-my-network-why-how.html.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-networking/unknown-phone-appears-as-a-con...
http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Wireless-Networking/Unknown-devices-showing-in-windows-8-network...
As the last one shows, it is probably due to Windows Connect Now Service:
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WCNCSVC hosts the Windows Connect Now Configuration which is Microsoft's Implementation of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. This is used to configure Wireless LAN settings for an Access Point (AP) or a Wi-Fi Device. The service is started programmatically as needed.
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I just disabled that service and no longer see this. I can only surmise that it senses a phone nearby and 'remembers' it. In my case they tend to disappear within minutes and properties only show a MAC address, it never connects.Message 5 of 5
Crickets. What's the solution to this?
> Random devices that i did not connect to my network are popping up
> under the Network section of Windows Explorer. [...]
I doubt that. (The "i did not connect" part.)
> I don't understand how these devices are on my Network.
That, I can believe. Most likely, you connected them. For example:
> 2) Sitara
> Manufacturer: TI, manufacturer webpage unavailable
> Model: Wilink, model webpage unavailable
> Model number: wl18xx
If only there were some practical way to search this new Inter-Web
thing for terms like, say:
Sitara wifi
No, wait! There is!!!
https://www.google.com/search?q=Sitara+wifi
http://www.ti.com/lit/ml/sprt721/sprt721.pdf
Apparently, this gizmo is a generic computer-with-network
building-block which could be incorporated into almost any device
designed by almost any suitable engineer, and made by almost any device
manufacturer.
If you want to track it down, then you might need to run some basic
tests, like, for example:
1. Start disabling your smart devices, and watch for the
device-of-concern to disappear.
2. Disable your wireless router (or at least its connection to the
device-of-concern), and see what you own that stops working.
It's not complicated. (Tedious, perhaps.)
> [...] I am turning on Access Control and blocking the above macaddrs
> but one cant do that unless you've id'd the macaddrs. [...]
Or you could do that. The only MAC addresses you'd need to identify
are the ones of known-permissible or known-impermissible devices. (See
"2", above.)
> [...] I think this is potentially a very serious problem. If somebody
> is manufacturing things which can just "sneak in" whenever they want,
> [...]
Yes, if somebody _were_ doing that, then it would be a very serious
problem. But you have no actual evidence of that. All that you know is
that you don't know what these devices are, not that they joined your
network without your cooperation.
> Crickets. What's the solution to this?
Do a little basic investigation? If these gizmos have a wireless
connection to your router, then the most likely explanation is that you
gave them your wireless-network credentials. If you want to avoid them,
then stop buying (and configuring) Internet-of-Junk (IoJ) gizmos.
- Haha very funny bud. You would be that guy.
If I gave my WiFi credentials to such devices, I wouldn't have posted this question some time ago because unlike you, I am not a troll.
So what if I told you now that I only keep one device connected to my router yet these mysterious devices are connected, and yes.. WITHOUT MY CONSENT.
Don't you think I did a search. I know what these "gizmos" are but that doesn't answer my questions. How did they and why are they connected to my network EVEN AFTER FACTORY RESETTING AND RE CONFIGURING my router and only allowing ONE(1) device to connect. Due note that the ONE(1) device is in fact the original device I was using when I discovered these "gizmos"
A word to the wise, please do not be sarcastic on these questions as there are plenty of people out there who actually have no clue about computers. Remember, there was once upon a time where you didn't know anything and sought to ask questions.> Don't you think I did a search. [...]
I don't know what you did, or what you would or wouldn't do. With my
weak psychic powers, my response was based only on what I could read.
For example, I have no idea which router you have, or its firmware
version. Or did I miss something?> [...] under the Network section of Windows Explorer. [...]
Assuming that your (unspecified) router offers an Attached Devices
report, do these devices appear there, too?lol again with the sarcasm
no one said anything about your "weak psychic powers". Obviously you don't seem to think because being psychic, weak or strong, is totally different from thinking...
but nonetheless since you now wish to be helpful, the unspecified routers are WNDR3400v3, R6400, and N600. i decided not to specify as it seems to be an issue among several models. They do offer an Attached Devices report and these "gizmos" do not appear in the list but do appear in Windows Explorer Network section
I dont understand the word processor in this app: it keeps disappearing my text....
I was basically saying what Robbymalz was, namely I have carefully accounted for all my stuff and proved beyond my own doubt that it is a real intruder. I locked it out using the macaddr in the end, and all my own stuff still works while I havent seen it since. So sorry, cant accept your answer. Big worry is it can get on apparently without the password.
Related info and maybe line of enquiry: was researching WD Cloud stuff (I have passport pro wireless 2tb and think it wonderful) and came across warning Mycloud home (some) had bits of Dlink in firmware which created a possible loophole. This is now fixed I understand. This kind of problem would fit with your suggestion regarding handy block of code - unforeseen consequences etc. But what could it be in?
I Have been in IT since 1964 so there is not much I haven't encountered yet. But Confucius teaches that awareness of our own ignorance is first step towards true wisdom so I try to keep an open mind while continuing to eliminate false assumptions as best I can. Arthur T.
- yes this word processor certainly gets annoying lol. But anyways, I'm aspiring to be an IT Administrator once I graduate. I've been managing my home network as well as some my neighbors home networks since i was 10, now I'm 23. All my neighbors experienced this issue as well though they were unaware of it until I pointed it out to them at the time I made this forum. It's always good to ask questions because not everyone knows everything, even the "know-it-alls" who tend to "doubt" actions of others.. Let's all keep in mind that this post is about an issue I, along with others, am experiencing and looking for a solution, not sarcasm.
Damn I just lost another page of text....
First my router is an R7000p; my reading of the intro was that router model is optional and in this context ought to be irrelevant - the point is that an unauthorised device appears to be able to get on to my network without the password and any modern router should protect equally well. And for the record I did fill in the box. So this app and forum has yet another mechanical problem. It's doing weird things when I hit some key (but I dont know which) including dropping out altogether.
Second No sarcasm was intended in what I wrote previously. If it appeared that way I apologise. I was I thought writing to confirm my support and agreement with what you had written namely that you had to the best of your ability, proven that the intruder was a real one, not a misrecognition of your own device, as I had done likewise. I was in this context disappointed with the apparent way it had been dismissed. But be very clear, It was not I who wrote about psychic powers and searches and stuff. Clearly this forum has a problem in that it is hard to ensure that your post always correctly identifies the target and the sender.
Now I have your latest post, reporting that it may be a Microsoft problem and therefore not a Netgear issue at all. I need to think long and hard on this, not because I am any fan of Microsoft any more, but because it is hard to envisage how it could be seen at all unless there were something to trigger the report. I agree the device didnt show up in the Attached list but that's not that quick to respond anyway; and depending on what's happening it is very easy to not see things there even when you are specifically looking for them. So, and no sarcasm intended, it's a bit like Bigfoot's footprint. It doesn't actually prove Bigfoot exists, but it's very hard to account for otherwise. It could still be easier to catch Bigfoot, than whoever is faking it.....
And on that note, I'm out. I wont be contributing to or following this forum any longer.
I am happy that my network is working well enough and secure enough that I have no major concerns. And this is all taking up time and effort I no longer wish to expend.
Goodbye all. Arthur T.