Why Are Wistron NeWeb Corporation Devices on My WiFi?

It’s a good idea to regularly check your wireless network and see what devices are connected to your WiFi. Most routers and modems make this easy to do through a simple webpage or an app you can download on your phone. While scrolling through the various devices that are currently or were once connected to the network, you may spot the name Wiston NeWeb. If you don’t remember buying a product that goes by that name or was made by that company, you’re not alone. But don’t panic. There’s likely a good reason that Wistron NeWeb devices have appeared on your WiFi network and it’s unlikely to pose a problem. Find out the facts about these devices and what to do about them so you can take control of your WiFi and have peace of mind that it is secure.

Who is Responsible for the Wistron NeWeb Corporation?

There are thousands of manufacturers today that produce various connectivity devices and parts. Wistron NeWeb Corporation is one of them. It’s a major communications manufacturer that is based out of China. They’ve been producing parts that help other products connect and communicate with wireless networks since 1996. The company focuses on designing and manufacturing parts designed for smart home connectivity and home network management. While Wistron NeWeb products are sometimes used in offices or other commercial settings, they’re primarily found in the home. That’s why you might end up seeing the name pop up on your home WiFi network. The company currently produces a large percentage of the antennas used for wireless connection in laptops and similar devices. Since Wiston products are used in computers and other devices that are sold around the world, you could see the company’s name popping up almost anywhere. It’s a well-trusted source of WiFi antennas, chips, dongles, and similar devices that help other products you buy stay connected to the Internet.

Why is a Wistron NeWeb Corporation Device Showing Up on My WiFi?

In most cases, you’re seeing a device that you’ve connected that you don’t associate with the Wistron Corporation. Instead of listing the name of the smart TV or internet-connected refrigerator you purchased, the network is listing the name of the exact WiFi antenna helping the device connect. That’s confusing if you’re expecting to see a different name. Try disconnecting the last few devices that you’ve added to your home with WiFi connectivity. If it makes the Wistron name disappear or go dormant, you’ve found the culprit. Reconnecting the devices one by one until you see the name reappear will help you narrow down the options. Of course, it’s possible that restarting or reconnecting the devices will also help refresh the name and help the device show up with the label you expect. If the Wistron NeWeb name doesn’t reappear at that point but everything you expect does show up, you can rest assured that the issue is over.

How Can I See What Devices Are Connected to My Wireless Network?

It’s a little tricky to give a universal set of instructions for monitoring your WiFi network because every modem and router has a different protocol. Start by checking the manufacturer of your network device. They likely have instructions on opening the configuration page for your router or modem in your computer browser. When you’re on this page and logged in, look for tabs or headings named “DHCP Clients”, “Connected Devices”, or “Attached Devices”. Any of these pages could hold the list of currently connected devices. Most modems and routers will also list devices that were connected in the past but are currently inactive. This is the best way to determine what devices have been accessing your network for security reasons. Get familiar with finding this list and checking it regularly. It’s the best way to catch when something unfamiliar pops up so you can deal with the security issue. If you’re having trouble using the configuration page or don’t have a computer to access it with, see if the manufacturer of the router or modem offers an app for convenient monitoring of all connections. Many of these apps also offer automated notifications or alerts when a new device connects.

When Should I Be Concerned About a Wistron NeWeb Device?

Most of the time, this company’s name popping up on your home network just indicates you’ve added a new device that relies on their technology. You may want to take note or do some investigating if you’re sure you haven’t added any new devices recently to your WiFi. This could include visitors or guests, but sometimes the appearance of a random new device is an indication of malicious access. You don’t want someone using a device relying on a Wistron NeWeb adapter to hack or use your WiFi network without your permission. If you’re not sure what is behind the new connection with this kind of name, try blocking it. If none of your devices seem to act any differently, there is a possibility that it was added by someone passing by. There’s no way to know what the intentions were behind the addition. Removing the device should give you some peace of mind.

Should I Block Wistron NeWeb Devices from Connecting to My WiFi?

Once you’ve verified that none of your devices have stopped working from the removal of the connection, you can move to permanently blocking the connection. This increases the security of your home network, but only if you change your passwords and prevent future attempts at connecting. Moving to block Wistron NeWeb Corporation Products too quickly could leave you struggling to reconnect a legitimate device you own. Start out by removing any active connections first and leave reconnecting as an option for later if you discover it’s actually your new smartphone or wireless camera system that relies on this kind of WiFi adapter. In general, you only need to worry about blocking a Wistron NeWeb connection when you suspect there’s something malicious or unwanted about it.

How Can I Secure My Home WiFi Network in General?

Don’t panic about every unknown connection that might appear on your router’s configuration page. It’s a good idea to check for and verify new connections, but the majority of them will be legitimate and cause no issues. You should always use a secure password or a two-stage authentication process when allowing guests and others to connect to your network. Change the password at least once every six months to ensure that anyone who used the network in the past can’t automatically reconnect when they’re in range. For the highest grade of security, use devices with advanced encryption methods and automated alerts when new devices connect. You shouldn’t have any issues with Wistron NeWeb devices in particular, but having an app for tracking connections and how much data they’re using is a good idea in general. You can find more tips on securing your home network from the Federal Trade Commission.

Take control of your home WiFi network with a proactive approach to tracking and controlling connections. Just be aware that adding wireless devices and Internet of Things appliances to your home will lead to many new and unfamiliar connections in the router’s list. Avoid immediately blocking these connections until you rule out that they’re not just listed differently than you expect. Most Wistron NeWeb devices pose no danger to your WiFi security, but there is always a small chance that they’re linked to an unauthorized user. Use a simple process of elimination to get a better idea of what’s connected to your network and why.