unknown router found on our network

m18

Honorable
Dec 20, 2013
3
0
10,510
Hi, I just look at my network connections in windows explorer and noticed a router that is not ours right next to our router under Network Infrastructure. I noticed it on my wife's laptop a couple of hours ago too. I just clicked on it to see what I could find out about it. But when I checked again a couple of minutes later it was gone.

If it is seen inside our network, does that mean it is actually inside our network or could it just be a network our computer with a strong signal? As I'm writing that question it is starting to sound like a stupid question, but I need to know what is going on and what I need to do about it.

We have Comcast with their Arris TG862 router. The unknown router was a Netgear WNR1000v3. We don't have any other routers, extenders, etc.

Our network is secure with firewall and Norton.
 
Solution


Agreed.
He's not connected to you. Your router just saw his device and automatically added it. I don't know if that means he's unsecured or not.

You could verify that by bringing up your network map, but likely you'll just see only your OWN devices.

I don't know how to get rid of it, but it should be safe to just ignore it. If you ask your neighbors you could maybe find the person then see if they have it SECURED. If not, maybe doing that will make it disappear.

It's possible in the router to DISABLE SSID BROADCAST which...

m18

Honorable
Dec 20, 2013
3
0
10,510
We do have it secured with password. I never changed router admin and password. Installer never mentioned it so I didn't even think about it.
 

Essdub8

Distinguished
Feb 13, 2012
113
0
18,760
If you're referencing another router found during a Wifi sweep of available networks, your Wifi card will show all available networks in range, does not necessarily mean you have an unauthorized connection.
 


Agreed.
He's not connected to you. Your router just saw his device and automatically added it. I don't know if that means he's unsecured or not.

You could verify that by bringing up your network map, but likely you'll just see only your OWN devices.

I don't know how to get rid of it, but it should be safe to just ignore it. If you ask your neighbors you could maybe find the person then see if they have it SECURED. If not, maybe doing that will make it disappear.

It's possible in the router to DISABLE SSID BROADCAST which means your router can't be auto detected. I think if HE enabled that you'd never see him again.
 
Solution