How Can You Search What Devices are Connected to Your Home Wireless Internet Connection

People who have wireless connections often complain that they suspect someone else is using their Wi-Fi because the internet speed connection stays low. They are anxious to know ways to find out if someone is really stealing the bandwidth of their Wi-Fi. So, how can they find it out and what measures can they take to stop it, right away? High speed internet providers in my area also offer the best solution for such problems.  

Unfortunately, if someone is accessing your Wi-Fi, chances are that they might also be able to access some of your folders. However, this depends on the security measures that you use. Moreover, if someone is using your Wi-Fi connection for illegal business, it might be equally dangerous to you as well. In this article, we will help you find if your Wi-Fi is really being stolen and how you can put an end to it.

 

1. Low Tech Method 

Your wireless router will have indicator lights which show hardwired network connections, internet connectivity, and any wireless activity. Now to know if someone is really using your Wi-Fi connection, shut your all wireless devices and see if the light still blinks. The only issue doing this is that you still might have other Wi-Fi devices such as gaming console or television left to unplug, and also it does not give out much information. This method can mainly be used to confirm your suspicion at a given moment.

 2. Network Admin Method

The administrative console of your router can help you explore more about your wireless network and make changes to security settings. In order to log into the console, simply go to the IP address of your router. This address can be found on Windows by clicking Win+R. Now, type CMD and ipconfig in your window and find “Default Gateway” IP address. If you use Mac, open Network Preference pane and get the IP address mentioned next to Router.

Next, type the IP in the browser window. You will be asked to provide your login details of the router. The router documentation will be having your login details only if you did not change your default settings. This process will typically ask you for admin and password fields. You must change your login information when you enter the router console for security. Hackers always look for such chances to get into the router consoles.

Each router is different. When you log into your router, immediately look out for connected devices. It can be known as “My Network” (Verizon routers) or “Attached devices” (Netgear). It must give you a detailed list of MAC addresses, IP addresses and all device names if they are detectable. Compare all connected devices to the gear and look out for unwanted users.

 

3. Detective Method: Using Network Monitoring Software Tool

It is extremely beneficial to be able to get into the network admin panel. Here you can easily view logs and change settings; however, you might also want to go through advanced network auditing and this is where MoocherHunter comes handy. MoochHunter is a part of the Organizational Systems Wireless Auditor (OSWA). According to the description of the software, it can easily geo-locate wireless hackers by sending traffic across the network.

This software also does not run in Windows as executable, but rather needs to be burned on to a CD to boot on the computer. This software is quite well known to be able to detect if anyone is using your Wi-Fi network. It is a great way to learn how hackers and other users try to get into your system.

 

4. Enhance Your Wi-Fi Security

If you use WPA2 or even WPA, your system is secure enough. If you have completed all the required steps, but the browser still seems very slow, you should think about speeding up the browser. If you use WEP or your connection is not encrypted, your system can be easily cracked by anyone looking for connections. If you do not know which encryption is being used in your network, go to wireless connection properties which will recognize it immediately. High speed internet providers in my area provide enhance Wi-Fi security solutions as well.

Remember, you should continue using WPA2 encryption whether you discovered someone using your Wifi connection or not, and manage other router setup essentials. If you still want to continue using open wireless network; get a new, secured wireless network and open the unsecured network only for guests and WEP devices only upon need.

How to Own Your First Home Sooner

 It seems that the dream of buying your own home has gotten further out of reach for most young people over the last ten years. While there are still ways that you can secure your own place, it may take a bit of creativity to be able to get there while you are still young. The following are just some of the ways you can have your own home sooner.

Start Saving Early

The sooner you start saving, the sooner you will be able to move into your own place, no matter what kid of home you are looking for. Once you decide you want a house, start putting aside as much money each week as you can, so that you will have a larger chunk of money to play with. Having some decent savings may mean you won’t have to borrow so much money, if any at all.

Kit Homes

Most people think that buying a home has to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, though this isn’t necessarily the case. Whether you are looking for a 2-bedroom place or something a bit larger, kit homes are significantly cheaper than regular houses, making them extremely attractive options. Buying a rel="dofollow" kit home will likely mean you are spending an amount closer to what you can actually afford, and saving lots of money on mortgage repayments too.

Buy With Someone

If you are eager to move into a home of your own though can’t afford it just yet, it may be worth teaming up with a friend who is also looking at buying property. Combining your money will make it far easier to be able to afford a place, and it can be relatively simple sub-dividing a house so that the two of you have your own sections.  This is a great way to have a friend as your immediate neighbour as well as put a stop to the endless paying of rent.

Get Creative

Often people will have enough money for land but not a house, making their first home so close yet so far. If you are willing to get creative, you can turn this situation to your advantage and buy land that is vacant and start building your own structures on it. For example, a lot of people have begun improvising and making homes for themselves out of shipping containers, which while only costing a few thousand dollars, can actually provide quite a decent living space. Windows and doors can be made and for a very small amount of money, a great little liveable space can be created. You will still need approval from the local council to live in it, though this is a fabulous option for people who want to slowly save for a bigger and better place, while living in a cool creation and saving money on rent at the same time.

Win One

It definitely does happen, but the chances of you winning a house are quite slim, though unless you are in the draws, it’s true that you are no chance at all. It’s not the most solid plan for getting a house, though if you want to support the charities anyway, it may be worthwhile getting a ticket in the house lotteries every now and again, as you never know, you might just win it!

A Table Lamp

I saw this table lamp at a souvenir store in my city.   A beautiful one that can attract every visitor who comes to the store.

Making Better Use of a Spare Room

Is your spare room going to waste? Are you just using it store all your unwanted things? The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a place where you store everything from old text books to sporting equipment. It doesn’t take a lot of effort – or money - to turn it into something more useable and practical. Here are some ideas to make better use of it.

Turn it into a home office

If you work from home, need somewhere for the kids to do their homework or just a place to keep your computer and household paperwork, the spare room is just crying out to be converted into a home office.

It doesn’t take much to do and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Look at adding a sturdy desk that can fit a computer while leaving yourself room to work. Get a good chair that is comfortable and supportive. Add a filing cabinet for important documents and some other storage, such as a cupboard or shelving, and you are well on your way to creating the perfect work space.

Just remember to check if there are plenty of powerpoints and other connections, such as a phone point for a modem.

Kids’ playroom

Tired of the kids making a mess in the lounge room and family room? Then take it out of sight by creating a kids’ playroom in the wasted spare bedroom. It also provides the perfect opportunity to take some of the toys out of their bedrooms that contribute to the clutter.

Adding a television (and the inevitable gaming systems that go with them) can also add a solution when it comes to arguments over the TV remote.

Throw in a couple of bean bags, some simple storage for their toys and you have an escape that kids of all ages will love. You can even add a cheap sofa bed which comes in handy when you have visitors stay overnight.

Craft room

If you love to sew, knit, scrapbook or do anything else creative then the spare room can become a haven. Adding a simple table can provide a platform for a sewing machine, while some simple storage solutions such as cupboards provide the perfect place to keep all of your materials.

By keeping the floor clear of clutter you also give yourself plenty of room to spread out while working rather than taking up space in high traffic areas of the home. Using the spare room as a craft room also means you can close the door on a half-finished project and come back to it later without fear of it being disturbed.

Home gym

There is no need to pay expensive gym membership if you have a spare room at home. It is easy to turn into your own personal home gym, especially if you already have some of the equipment. You don’t have to be a gym junkie to make the most of it either – adding an exercise bike and/or a treadmill is more than enough. It gives you a place to exercise in private and whenever you want.

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A Gorilla's Portrait

Captured by my husband during our visit to the Ragunan Zoo (Jakarta, Indonesia).  Amazing critter indeed.

The Weekend in Black and White

Building Your Own Mini Green House

Greenhouses are excellent for improving the growth of plants and vegetables. Greenhouses are often too impractical for a small garden, however, and many people simply do not have the space which they need or the money with which to build one. Thankfully, even miniature greenhouses have a positive effect on your vegetable patch and they can be constructed from recycled items or from materials costing as little as $20, with the nothing but the most basic of hand tools.

How a Greenhouse Works

A greenhouse works by allowing light and thus heat into the area and then trapping it there. This is a natural phenomenon that is actually the same reason why the Earth is warm because the atmosphere acts in the same way with sunlight. This ‘greenhouse effect’ can be artificially created with any translucent material and this makes it easy to keep your plants warm.

How to Build a Miniature Greenhouse

The answer to this basically depends upon the size of the plant which you are trying to grow. I have successfully created an array of ‘greenhouses’ for my carrot plants, for example, using empty Coke bottles. By cutting the bottom off of a 2 litre bottle and removing the label this plastic bottle becomes the perfect greenhouse for a single carrot or garlic plant and it couldn’t be easier. It also has the added benefit of keeping slugs and snails away from your plants.

Making a larger miniature greenhouse can be slightly more complex but it is still very easy to do. To start with you should make a frame to the size of your intended area. This just needs to be a base that will rest upon the ground and support the arching braces. From this wooden frame you can then use a basic epoxy glue to hold some copper or plastic piping in place against it, which loops over the plants to the other side of the frame. You will need to make upwards of three loops depending upon the length of your mini greenhouse but this is then simply covered with plastic sheeting. 

Another way to make a mini greenhouse is by utilising panes of glass which may be left over from replacing windows in the past. Creating a wooden frame of a slightly greater height will allow you to simply rest this sheet of glass over the top of the frame and benefit from the heat generated in this simple manner. This will only be suited for plants which grow only to a low level, such as cress or herbs, but this can create an excellent individual habitat for the growth of vegetables.

Caring for a Greenhouse

The extreme heats to which your miniature greenhouse will reach means that you will have to regularly water your plants to ensure that they survive. This is not because the water evaporates faster; rather it is because the plants need to absorb a greater portion of water because they are photosynthesizing at a far greater rate. The plants will also need a greater level of nutrients to fuel their growth.

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