Windows 10 - random phones appearing in Network?
I've noticed this for a while now and I'd like to figure out what exactly is causing it, though searching online reveals it's not uncommon.
Basically, open up 'Network' in Explorer, and quite often there will be a completely random phone listed in there. See the following screenshots for example:
http://imgur.com/HTGMLNz
http://imgur.com/IBVqskJ
The MAC addresses don't show up in the arp table either, they're not visible in Fing, and there's no entry for them in the router (the BT router keeps a sort of log of what's been connected, how much it's downloaded, etc). WiFi is WPA2 secured with WPS disabled. BT's WiFi-sharing nonsense is also disabled.
I'm not really sure how Windows discovers devices for that Network page - I would've thought they'd need to be connected to the LAN but that shouldn't be possible. And nor should the router be giving any devices MAC access to the network without WPA authentication, unless there's some firmware bug to do with the public wifi hotspot feature, but even so nothing shows up when I scan for networks with e.g. a phone?
Anyway, have a look yourself, you may be surprised! And any ideas on what's going on would be much appreciated! I decided to try using the ISP router, just for once, so there's one less device to maintain!
Re: Windows 10 - random phones appearing in Network?
What happens if you try to open the phone? (Is double click on the icon) or right click yo get info?
Is it another device with the wrong icon?
Re: Windows 10 - random phones appearing in Network?
There's no option to open - on the right click menu you have properties (which is also the double-click default) and create shortcut.
I've looked up the MAC addresses and they match the model numbers displayed e.g. HTC/Sony - there are no such devices on the network.
Re: Windows 10 - random phones appearing in Network?
I know you say WPS is disabled but log into your router and check WPS (2.4 and 5ghz as they are not normally listed together), took me hours to find out that the 1st time I spotted it!
Without looking into it the WPS lets phones show as they handshake the router and I think it is also related to the windows connect now service but as I don't use WPS and had not long reset the router I just turned WPS off again and problem solved.
If you need WPS disable the windows connect now service.
(on my router WPS will show off until you click the switch band button and it was on 2,4ghz not 5ghz)
Re: Windows 10 - random phones appearing in Network?
Does your PC have unsecured bluetooth adapter?
Re: Windows 10 - random phones appearing in Network?
On this router there's only one switch for WPS, even if 'separate bands' is checked.
It's not really bothering me that they're visibly there, it's why they're there that's causing me concern. I don't understand how unauthenticated devices, even with WPS enabled, could seemingly have MAC access to the LAN?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ferral
Does your PC have unsecured bluetooth adapter?
Nope, no wireless radios at all.