Unknown Router in Network Security Map

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

I have NIS 21.1.0.18 running on Windows 8.1 Pro x64. NIS seems to be working very well.

 

On my Network Security Map I see a Netgear router that is not part of my LAN. The MAC number does not belong to any device I own. How did this unknown router get on to my Network Security Map?

 

To be safe, I set the Trust level for this router to Restricted.

2

Do you have a WIFI printer, camera, smartfone or TV?

3

I have NIS 21.1.0.18 running on Windows 8.1 Pro x64. NIS seems to be working very well.

 

On my Network Security Map I see a Netgear router that is not part of my LAN. The MAC number does not belong to any device I own. How did this unknown router get on to my Network Security Map?

 

To be safe, I set the Trust level for this router to Restricted.

4

It turns out that many people have reported the same issue. It probably means that Windows has discovered another network in my neighborhood.

 

Although Windows has discovered this network, I am not connected to it, and it's unlikely that the owner of that router is connected to my network, since I use strong encryption. In addition, the unknown router does not appear as a connected device on my own router's network map.

 

Microsoft omitted the network map from Windows 8.1, but I there is third-party software that can find the SSID of the unknown router. Meanwhile, it's good to know that NIS gives me the ability to block the unknown router from my network.

5

FOLLOW-UP: I used a simple network survey application (NetSurveyor) to positively identify the network by the MAC of its router. It is indeed another router in my neighborhood, broadcasting on the same channel as my router. If I change the channel for my router, the 'unknown' router will probably vanish... and another 'unknown' network will replace it.  :smileyhappy:

6

Hi Bulldoggy,

 

I'm glad that you were able to identify the router.

 

As I mentioned before, if you turn off WiFi Protected Setup on your router, this should not occur again.

 

Best Wishes.

7

Thanks Phil,

For the life of me I could not figure out how another router could possibly be seen like that.

I can see others, even open ones, when I search for a connection but I have never seen another one in the network security map.

 

Dave

8

WPS has always been turned off on my router.