Check and secure your Wi-Fi network with the following four best and free analyzers on the market. At the same time, check if a third-party network is safe to connect to.
We have highlighted the need avoid freebies, external Wi-Fi networks, and if you have to connect then don't type sensitive information. But do you know what tools exist on the market with which you can "scan" a network and understand whether it hides risks or not?
But also your home wireless network, you should check it from time to time to protect yourself from major damage that an intruder can do. These are the reasons you need a Wi-Fi analyzer, a program that scans a Wi-Fi network and can tell you if it's safe.
Check out the top four Wi-Fi analyzers available today that are, of course, free.
Table of Contents
Fing
Fing is one of the most well-known Wi-Fi analyzers that we have presented before.
Fing has a very user-friendly interface and it won't be difficult for you to understand it even if you don't have much experience. Run the app and let it scan your connected network. It will show nearby access points, information about signal strength, the type of protection a network uses and more.
Fing's scanner discovers all devices connected to a network, which allows you to see the IP address, name, model, MAC address, of each device. With Fing, you can also test the speed of your home network, see if any security issues need to be fixed, set up alerts and deny access to devices.
It should be noted that you need to purchase the Starter or Premium version of Fing to access all the features, but the basic version is free and what it offers should be enough for the vast majority of people.
Download : Fing for Windows and macOS | Android | iOS
netspot
NetSpot is another popular Wi-Fi analyzer that first hit the market in 2011. It's a more complex (and arguably more advanced) tool than Fing, so it's intended for more technically oriented users.
NetSpot automatically discovers all Wi-Fi networks in the area and provides online data about them.
This includes information about security, signal strength, speed, configuration issues, signal leaks, network stability and more.
This data can be exported as reports, either in PDF or CSV format, making NetSpot a valuable tool for IT and network administrators.
While it's true that NetSpot is primarily used to analyze network strength and coverage, the data it outputs can prove valuable if you suspect security issues with your home Wi-Fi.
Note, however, that there are different versions of NetSpot. You can use the tool for free, but with limited features, the availability of some features may vary depending on your device's operating system.
Download : Netspot for Windows and MacOS | Android | iOS
Angry IP Scanner
Angry IP Scanner has been around for over two decades. It's free, open source, and available on the three major desktop operating systems: Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Unfortunately it is not available for mobile.
Unlike many other Wi-Fi scanning software, Angry IP Scanner is neither fancy nor complicated. It is quite fast, minimalist and easy to use. Just download the program, launch it and press scan.
But Angry IP Scanner offers quite a few things. It can and does scan a range of IP addresses (you can set the range), relatively quickly, and automatically provides a treasure trove of information: device MAC address, ping time, host information, and open ports.
You can modify the scan in any way you see fit and instruct the tool to generate reports in various formats.
Security professionals use Angry IP Scanner to detect unknown devices connected to a network, perform analysis and assess potential vulnerabilities. It may not be for everyone, but it is a powerful and unique program.
Download : Angry IP Scanner for Windows | MacOS | Linux
Network Analyzer
Available on Android and iOS, Network Analyzer is a lightweight and versatile Wi-Fi scanning app that can prove useful to anyone who frequently connects to new networks with their smartphone.
For starters, you can fire up the app and let it scan the Wi-Fi you're connected to. For additional options, go to the menu (via the three small lines in the upper left corner). Here, you can access various tools, start a LAN scan, test your Wi-Fi signal, and more.
With Network Analyzer, you can also locate all devices connected to an access point and look for any intruders, see their IP addresses, scan ports, get additional network information, and so on.
This is a beginner-friendly app, but that doesn't mean it isn't suitable for network professionals and IT administrators. It offers much more than most of its free competitors, which is a major plus.
Download : Network Analyzer for Android | iOS
Whether you're a professional or just someone who wants to better protect their data, Wi-Fi analyzers are an essential tool you need in your arsenal.
There are hundreds of network analyzers on the market, but these four are arguably the best of the free ones. Download one on every device you use and improve your overall security.
