This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I have been concerned about my systems security since upgrading to window 8 last November on occations a phone has appeared in my network devices list well windows knows the phone it can get make model and mac code but after clicking on the phones propities it disappears. At first I thought it might have got in through my wireless router which is a virgin super hub made by netgear and after a little digging I changed the password and even the way devices connect wirelessly and made my hug a mac code only connection. This worked for a few weeks then hey presto another phone or tablet appeared on my network. I even paid a extra few quid to Mcafee and upgraded to access all areas to cover my tablet and my our phone the issue persisted . I was so annoyed at this time but I had noticed the my processor was a 64 bit capable processor so I took the plunge and brought another windows pro 8 pack as the system had to have a clean install. All has been fine for six weeks since I upgraded to a 64 bit machine and suddenly it has all started again I have had three different devices appearing in my network map and I have not got a clue if my system has been compromised. Or is it this think is a way for others to connect to the internet for free using my isp which is illegal.
Does anyone have any ideas where I turn to, to solve this problem ?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I had this issue ,i have searched a lot in the internet and no absolute solution for this, I have tried very simple way through the router by blocking the mac address of these devices and it works fine for me , you have to keep watching your network for few days and when you found any unknown device (most likely it is a phone with just MAC address and no IP address) block the the these MAC address in your router
hope it work with you
I had the same thing pop up on my windows 10 machine. M201 as telephony. I am narrowing it down to the fact that my Router has a build in system for a 4G SiM card, which is my back up internet if my line connection should fail. I think that's where the M201 device sits. I guess I am wondering if you have a Mobile SIM card in your router as a fail over connection as well.
Edited: I have now Bluetooth hardware disabled and a different phone appeared today in "network" folder.
Looks like I was wrong and it isn't Bluetooth.
Hi,
I have had the very same issue since I've upgraded to Windows 10 Pro.
A stranger's phone occasionally appears in "Network" folder under "Phones". The name of the device not always the same. It sometimes comes and then goes.
I have contacted Microsoft support about it and they have connected to my PC through remote control and ran several checks to find the issue. But they could not find the cause.
However I got closer to the answer. Them devices are Bluetooth devices. If you go windows settings and disable Bluetooth nothing will change. Them devices will show up again and again. But if you go to device manager and disable the Bluetooth hardware then you will never have them strange devices showing up in "network" folder.
This is something really strange. I have contacted Microsoft support today again and told them about it.
They have run multiple checks again and couldn't find a thing again. They have seen the stranger's phone appearing in my "network" folder but couldn't tell why.
At the end of the chat they have said they going to investigate it further and thanked for the information I have shared with them.
At the bottom line. Just disable Bluetooth hardware in device manager.
Before anybody asks.. Yes I have scanned for malware and viruses. I have real time security application.
Kaspersky Total Security. I have a Virgin Media broadband with their "Superhub 2ac" and yes I have a password on my wifi. WPS is disabled. I have checked all logs possible and found NO unknown activity on LAN (or wireless).
Hope it helps some!
I have been concerned about my systems security since upgrading to window 8 last November on occations a phone has appeared in my network devices list well windows knows the phone it can get make model and mac code but after clicking on the phones propities it disappears. At first I thought it might have got in through my wireless router which is a virgin super hub made by netgear and after a little digging I changed the password and even the way devices connect wirelessly and made my hug a mac code only connection. This worked for a few weeks then hey presto another phone or tablet appeared on my network. I even paid a extra few quid to Mcafee and upgraded to access all areas to cover my tablet and my our phone the issue persisted . I was so annoyed at this time but I had noticed the my processor was a 64 bit capable processor so I took the plunge and brought another windows pro 8 pack as the system had to have a clean install. All has been fine for six weeks since I upgraded to a 64 bit machine and suddenly it has all started again I have had three different devices appearing in my network map and I have not got a clue if my system has been compromised. Or is it this think is a way for others to connect to the internet for free using my isp which is illegal.
Does anyone have any ideas where I turn to, to solve this problem ?
First half of the answer is correct the other half is completely WRONG though.
FWIW, disabling the modem's WPS worked.
Hi,
It is most certainly possible that they are being detected by your wireless adapter in your computer...
With all of Win 8's new methods of connecting to phones and etc. for syncing, that may be what is happening...
Since I have no wireless connections, I can't check that more closely, but you should be able to block them in some fashion in Win 8. If not in the connection settings, possibly use the firewall to block them.
not at all my laptop has wireless disable and is connected to my router by a cat6 so how am i seeing these strange phones
it has to be thru the router's wifi
