getting ip address from available mac address?

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headstrong

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Hi

My wifi router show that I have 4 wireless clients according to their mac addresses but I only have 3 wifi devices in my house!!

I obviously have an unwanted intruder!!

How do I check the ip address of the 4th device if I already know the mac address?

Thanks
 
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Hey,

I'm no expert here, but you can try checking your ARP cache at a command prompt. Type:
arp -a

Or use a port scanner and scan your network range. The IP that doesn't match any of the devices in your house would be the bad guy. It would also be wise to enable the MAC access list function in your router. That way only devices with the MAC address specified in the list will have access to your WLAN.

Good luck :)
K4
 
Hi K4

I dnt want 2 block the bad guy yet coz I first want to find out his ip address and c what kind of fun i can have :)

Then I will use secure my wifi network!

Thanks for ARP cache i'll give it a try!
 
note, that the arp cache is built on demand, that is, it only gets built once a request for that ip is made. so rather first try a "net view" in command prompt (if youre using windows)
 
headstrong said:
Hi K4

I dnt want 2 block the bad guy yet coz I first want to find out his ip address and c what kind of fun i can have :)

Then I will use secure my wifi network!

Thanks for ARP cache i'll give it a try!
Click to expand...
Really - just what kind of fun do you think you might be able to have?

It reminds me of a scene from Bowling for Columbine - this Canadian lady was going on and on about how she never locked her front door - then she goes on to casually mention how she's been burgled 3 times!

My point is if you don't want people using your network lock it down. I personally leave an BYOB (bring your own bandwidth:)) AP unlocked so my neighbours can access the internet via bridged mode.
 
Why not simply set up a portal page and charge him per Megabyte used?
 
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Can't your router be setup for WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) or WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)? This help you get rid of the thief, but you won't know who it is.
 
I know exactly how to secure my network with WPA-PSK but before I secure it I want to catch him!

After I catch him I will secure it

Thanks
 
some APs report themselves as being connected. Check if the fourth address isn't that of the AP itself.
 
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