One odd device recently connected to my Wi-Fi while I was reviewing my router logs.
As my network had grown over the past week, I was confused because it was named Technicolor CH USA Inc.
In my neighborhood, there are many Wi-Fi devices, and houses are tightly packed.
I needed to determine whether the device using my Wi-Fi belonged to me or my neighbor since it was suspected that someone was using it.
Researching Technicolor online was my first step to finding out.
Additionally, I checked a few user forum posts and learned that other people were experiencing the same problem.
My research led me to figure out what this device was and what it was doing on my network because of the in-depth research that I conducted.
As a result of that research, we have created this guide to help you learn what Technicolor devices are and what they are intended to do.
You are likely to see DIRECTV set-top boxes on your network if you see a Technicolor device. It’s a good idea to change your Wi-Fi password if you don’t have a DIRECTV subscription.
We tell you why WPS is not secure and how you can make your Wi-Fi password stronger.
Also, read How To Reset Spectrum Router?
Technicolor CH USA Inc: Why Should You Care?
Among the products Technicolor produces are those pertaining to communications, media, and entertainment.
In their communications department, they manufacture Broadband gateways and set-top boxes based on Android.
CH refers to their gateways and STBs under the Connected Home brand.
Technicolor makes STBs that are Android-based for the popular TV provider DIRECTV.
This means that no matter if you have a Technicolor gateway or router or a DIRECTV cable connection, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Is It Malicious?
As one of the devices connected to your Wi-Fi, the Technicolor CH USA device doesn’t usually pose a threat to your network.
Technicolor made the networking equipment the device uses, so it’s called Technicolor instead of the actual product name.
Technicolor’s device had been identified by your router as such for some reason.
Although anyone can impersonate Technicolor and disguise the device as one of theirs, the device remains completely safe.
A more common name, such as Apple or Google, makes an attacker more likely to go undetected, while Technicolor is not as well known as these other brands.
In addition to DIRECTV STBs, some Technicolor models are available, so they will appear on your Wi-Fi instead of DIRECTV STBs.
Also, read Red Globe Fios Router?
Checking If They Are Malicious
Manually checking each device on your network is the easiest way to determine whether it is malicious.
The admin tool of your router or a utility like Glasswire will show you the list of devices connected.
Disconnect one device from the network after pulling up this list.
You can check which devices have disappeared by refreshing the list.
If you have more than one Wi-Fi device, repeat this step for each one.
The last device you removed is the Technicolor device when the device disappears from the list.
It is safe to say that the device isn’t malicious if you can identify what it is.
The possibility of it being an unauthorized device increases if the device did not disappear from the list.
In a later section, I will discuss how you can secure your Wi-Fi network.
You can improve the security of your network by following those steps.
Technicolor CH USA devices that identify themselves
To combat a potential attacker on your network, you must arm yourself with information.
Looking through your router logs can be a hassle if you don’t know what devices are listed as Technicolor CH.
A Technicolor device is typically one of the following:
- DIRECTV Android Set-top boxes.
- Technicolor TG580
- Technicolor Ruby
The Technicolor device you see on your list of connected devices is the device you own and have connected to your Wi-Fi network.
How To Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Securing your network better will help you kick anyone unauthorized off your network.
Accessing your router’s admin tool gives you access to all of these options.
Change Your Wi-Fi Password
Wi-Fi can be accessed most easily and conveniently by guessing your password.
Passwords should be something you can remember, but not easily guessable, so they can’t be guessed by anyone else.
If you use them in a random but understandable order, it should also include numbers and symbols.
When you log into your admin tool and go to the WLAN settings, you can change your password.
Turn Off WPS
A Wi-Fi Protected Security (WPS) connection uses a passwordless PIN to help you connect your devices to your Wi-Fi.
There is almost always a dedicated button on routers that have WPS.
WPS buttons are usually located on wireless routers, so check if yours has one.
Yours may have WPS enabled, so go into the admin tool and turn it off.
A short, number-only PIN instead of a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols make WPS pretty insecure.
Hide your SSID
Wi-Fi networks are identified by their SSIDs, which is what the device that attempts to connect uses to identify them.
Your SSID can usually be hidden on most routers so that others can’t see what’s on your network.
It is impossible to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network unless the password and Wi-Fi name are known.
Your network becomes almost impossible to get into with this added security factor.
Your router’s admin tool offers the option of hiding your SSID under the security settings.
Turn on Router Firewall
Your network is protected from external threats by the firewall built into most routers.
Use the router’s admin tool to enable the feature as soon as possible.
Your network can be further secured by allowing only your own devices to access it.
Final Thoughts
You are more likely to use identification to send and receive data than to identify yourself by name under the surface of your device’s user interface.
In place of using other names, the device’s user interface is designed to correctly identify the device.
According to the router app on my phone, when I connect my PS4 to my network, it is by PS4.
The router logs, however, say it’s an HonHaiPr device – an alternate name for Foxconn, which manufactures the PS4s for Sony.
It is possible to use the disconnection method that I described before if you notice any devices you do not recognize on your network.
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