identifying potential unauthorised device connected to my network

[harry.....]

I have recently had cause to suspect someone has connected to my network. I have checked off all the mac addresses of connected devices and identified all but one device and need help from sky to identify what this is exactly and if my sky system is therefore compromised leaving me at risk of fraud. I would like to know what this device is, if sky have anything in place to protect customers, and any advice going forward. Also, my homes devices show their mac address with the exception of any iphone in the house. How do i identify what iphones are connected to the network. The list shows 2 iphones when infact there are more and even then the mac address of the iphone does not match the mac address shown in the network list of connected devices. Every time i search sky help website it pushes me away so as not to help. The robot assistance is of no use whatsoever. 

[Chrisee]

@harry..... Sky use the standard levels of WiFi security by default the older black hubs use WPA2 PSK and the newer white hub defaults to WPA3-T. While hacking of a WiFi network is possible it is actually extremly rare as it requires significant resouces. The number one cause of third parties being able to access a network is by having the password. Given the device must be within a few yars of your home it is frequently because a member of the family has given it to a neighbour or they have been able to read it off the router label.

If you call Sky the advice they are likely to give is to change your WiFi password to something only you know, see https://www.sky.com/help/articles/find-and-change-your-wireless-password and then log your own devices back in. In practice unless you have disabled the security of your devices a device on your network should not be able to access data on your devices unless you give permission. 

[harry.....]

Hi and thanks for that. Would you happen to know how i identify an iphone as the numbers dont corespondent?

[TimmyBGood]

---

@harry..... wrote:

I  have checked off all the mac addresses of connected devices and identified all but one device and need help from sky to identify what this is exactly and if my sky system is therefore compromised leaving me at risk of fraud. 

---

Realistically no ISP will offer help with such issues: in this context it's not 'their' system.

[FLC]

Many devices, especially mobiles, now use MAC address randomisation. This means that each time they connect to a network, they display a different, phantom MAC address rather than their actuall address.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/security/secb9cb3140c/web

You should be able to turn this off on a per network basis, so you should be able to disable it for your home network. That will in turn show the correct MAC address in the Hub, making ID easier.

[Chrisee]

@harry..... on your iPhone go into the WiFi settings for the Sky WiFi network and you will see an entry for private WiFi address go in there and there are 3 options the default IIRC is a fixed address but the phone can use a rotating address or just the actual mac address for the phone its your choice. 

[harry.....]

yes the mac address listed under wifi address here on the iphone does not correspond with and devices connected. Has anyone any idea which Sky expert might assist at Sky so that i can ask to speak to them. many thanks everyone

[TimmyBGood]

---

@harry..... wrote:

Has anyone any idea which Sky expert might assist at Sky so that i can ask to speak to them.

---

As I suggested above, I really don't think you're going to get any help from an ISP.

[harry.....]

Hi and thanks. I think it's probably best I change providers to one that's helpful. All the very best to you. 

[TimmyBGood]

@harry..... 

Switching ISP is always an option (if not in a minimum contract term) but I'd suggest that beyond the default firewall in their router, some online filtering and a few web pages of advice, providing personalised home network security, support and diagnostics is simply outside the remit of a domestic broadband provider: realistically it's both beyond the capacity of their frontline advisors and simply not covered by typical subscription fees of £1 to £2 a day when a professional will charge hundreds of pounds an hour for such things.

[FLC]

---

@harry..... wrote:

Hi and thanks. I think it's probably best I change providers to one that's helpful.

---

Good luck with that!

I'm afraid you have unrealistic expectations, as the responsibility for devices connected to your router is yours. You can change the WiFi password or use the info provided here to help yourself, but no budget ISP is going to hold your hand to that degree.

[IntVic]

Andrews & Arnold might be the kind of ISP you need, but they are not cheap.

Alternatively join an ISP that does not supply any modem router... I did and sure had to learn fast how to set up and monitor my home network. Again, this is not cheap (buying mesh equipment) but I think I have a home network that is secure, fast and reaches all corners of home, garage and garden.

[Chrisee]

@harry..... what you are asking for is not something I would expect any ISP to assist with. It is your responsbility to manage access to your home network the ISP will simply advise you to change the password if you suspect one of the devices connected is not authorised. Trying to police network access by mac addresses is no longer a realistic method as spoofing is simple.