Windows 10 showing unknown router in Networks

[anon2015]

I am using an Asus rt ac68u router for my home network. I believe I have a pretty solid secure network with the exception of a connected speaker that might be vulnerable (LG MusicFlow) I noticed something odd. When I went to networks on my PC windows showed a Belkin router. I do not own one, I was connected to my Asus wireless network and my modem is an Ubee modem from my service provider. The connected devices in the Asus UI did not show this Belkin router. I also see nothing in the Asus wireless logs matching the MAC that Windows showed. I own no Belkin products. Is there any reason to think Windows misidentified something? When I opened up the properties, the Belkin disappeared from the networks tab, but I was able to capture the image attached. If Windows did not misidentify, how would I go about tracking down the culprit?

 

[ColinTaylor]

This sort of thing has been reported a few times before. For example see: http://www.snbforums.com/threads/is-someone-trying-to-hack-into-my-wifi.26916/#post-203478

It seems to be a Windows 10 thing. The current thinking is a device, probably belonging to your neighbour, connected to your Wi-Fi but couldn't authenticate and then disconnected.

 

[anon2015]

I've been digging since posting, that thread seems similar but different. I was able to identify the MAC as belonging to a neighbors unsecured guest wifi with wifi analyzer. I dont think anyone attempted to access my network, rather I assume Windows 10, with all its wonderful "features" accessed an open network in-spite of my attempts to shut that kind of stuff off. Im assuming my only action is to add the MAC address of open neighbors networks to my firewalls list of things to block.

EDIT: can I just block all traffic except for traffic to and from my routers MAC on my Windows 10 PC? Or would this block traffic between devices on my network, like printers media servers etc? Everything is configured to communicate through the Asus router. No direct connections to the PC but the printer and another PC go through the modem to get to the router.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Does your Windows 10 PC have a wireless network interface? If not then it can't be the PC that is connecting to the Belkin it must be something else. Or it's the Belkin connecting to your network.

 

[anon2015]

Does your Windows 10 PC have a wireless network interface? If not then it can't be the PC that is connecting to the Belkin it must be something else. Or it's the Belkin connecting to your network.

My PC only connects wireless. I have no wired connection due to location.

 

[sfx2000]

When I went to networks on my PC windows showed a Belkin router.

Windows GrabN'Grope is trying to ID something on your network, and based on the first six octets of the MAC address, it thinks the device is a router...

Yay Windows!

 

[ColinTaylor]

Ah, right. I understand now. So yes, it's sounds like it's just Windows "being clever" when it scans for nearby networks.

 

[ColinTaylor]

I think I might have found it.

Wi-Fi Sense. WOW What a security nightmare!

http://bgr.com/2015/08/03/windows-10-security-disable-wifi-sense/
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/wi-fi-sense-faq

 

[sfx2000]

Wi-Fi Sense. WOW What a security nightmare!

Win10's network stack seems to be all over the place - not just WiFi...

GRRR... and I can imagine network admins...

 

[anon2015]

I think I might have found it.

Wi-Fi Sense. WOW What a security nightmare!

http://bgr.com/2015/08/03/windows-10-security-disable-wifi-sense/
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/wi-fi-sense-faq

Ahh yes, I'm fully aware of that. I installed windows from scratch using the manual options, confirmed everything in the settings after install and periodically since after hearing others complain of settings being modified by updates. I've also used powershell, startup options, regedit and firewall settings on both my router and my PC to try and remove, block or disable all the stuff I don't like. I guess this belongs in a "reasons I distrust MS and Windows now" rather than an Asus forum. The block all traffic except for traffic to and from my routers MAC doesn't seem to cause any issues. Hopefully my third party firewall can at least restrict my PC to my router even if I cant fully block what Windows shares through that connection. Thanks for the help.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Apparently there is a similar option in Intel PROSet/Wireless tools called "Automatically connect to free wifi hotspots".

 

[sfx2000]

Apparently there is a similar option in Intel PROSet/Wireless tools called "Automatically connect to free wifi hotspots".

Depending on Windows version and the card - those options might not be available with ProSET....