WiFi attempts to automatically connect to unknown networks

Question

I've seen other people ask this same exact question as far back as 2013 and it appears Microsoft are well aware of this security flaw and have no interest in addressing it as I've yet to find a response which resolves this. Many replies don't even appear to comprehend the question being asked!

For fun* I shall "bump the thread" as it were:

(*it's not actually fun at all)

My Windows 10 laptop has a tick in the "Connect automatically" box for every single WiFi network which is within range for me.

I un-tick the "Connect automatically" box yet when I check to confirm this choice has been applied I find the "Connect automatically" box is ticked again.

There is apparently no way to tell my computer to not automatically attempt connections to any network other than my own. This is completely backwards, as the only network I do want to automatically connect to is my own one.

Apart from being a significant security risk, this also causes frustrating regular disconnects from games as it periodically briefly disconnects from my own network in order to attempt to connect to these.

My question is - how can I switch off WiFi auto-connect altogether?

I don't mind if that means I have to manually type my WiFi password every time. It would be well worth the supposed hassle of typing a few characters to know that my operating system isn't trying to connect to any other (and especially unknown) networks.

It's clear from the amount of time this issue has existed that Microsoft aren't interested in fixing this but I'm wondering if any geniuses out there have figured out a way to shore up this security risk other than switching off WiFi and using a cabled LAN instead (which I'm aware is actually the better option for both security and performance)...

Answer 1

Hi Matt_annoyed_by_MS, I am Rob, an independent and a 15 time and dual award MVP specializing in Windows troubleshooting and Bluescreen analysis. Please remember as independents we are not responsible for the development of Windows or the computer hardware and drivers. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

We are just users like you and do not represent Microsoft so to get the developers to notice the issue you will need to report it in the Feedback Hub.

Start - Search - type in the box --> Feedback Hub

Find it at the top and click on it.

====

How to Turn On or Off Connect Automatically to Wireless Network in Windows 10

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/65916-turn-...

Disable Automatic Wireless Connections on Windows

https://www.lifewire.com/disable-automatic-wire...

Also, 3rd party security programs such as an antivirus/antispyware program can cause that problem.

This Registry Key should turn them ALL off.

Registry Key : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\

DWORD AutoDetect = 0 or 1

If none of those help then maybe you will get some help when you post the issue in the Feedback Hub.

Here to help,

Rob

---

Standard Disclaimer: Those may be non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all.

Answer 2

An "unknown network" is simply a network that is not broadcasting its network name, that is, its SSID. Nothing more sinister than that.

Hiding their network's name is something that people do because they think it improves their privacy, but that's actually quite wrong. Anyone with the right software and some understanding of networks can easily find a "hidden" network's name.

More important: No one can connect to a WiFi network - not to your network and not to anyone else's network; not manually and not automatically - if they don't know the network password .

Here are the three steps that make your WiFi network impenetrable:

1- An un-crackable network password.

2- Encrypting your network traffic.

You can do that in your router by choosing the WPA2-PSK method of encryption along with the AES encryption algorithm. This is known as WPA2-PSK/AES in shorthand. And WPA3 is not far away.

3- A separate un-crackable password for your router's management console.

I will gladly explain any or all of those steps  - just ask. No trouble at all.

Taking those three steps makes your WiFi network completely safe from everyone except for hard core network crackers and state-sponsored cyber terrorists, and - not meaning to be rude - your network is just not interesting to any of them.

Answer 3

Hi BulldogXX.

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate the time you took to do that. I do understand that others cannot connect to my own network (nobody will ever guess the password "MAGA") but "Connect automatically" is ticked by default even for open networks.

If I connect to an open network because of this then that does actually potentially provide means to access at least some of my data. That's the security concern I have.

My friend used to do this sort of thing many years ago just for poops and giggles but it demonstrated to me just how much access a clever person can gain from one simple starting point of access.

I'm aware my network is not interesting to other people but my credit card details just might be.

Also, whether my laptop can or cannot successfully connect to the other networks it is still making attempts to do so every now and again (presumably when it determines that one of the others might work better than my own) and this causes other issues such as disconnects from games.

I think I'm just going to have to stop using Wi-Fi to get round this issue.

I'm currently in dialogue with Microsoft support but we're still at the stage of them going through all the standard stuff such as checking system files and restarting devices (i.e. the basics which everyone should try before assuming there's a problem). I don't think they've quite grasped yet that every version since Windows 8 exhibits this behaviour and they're still assuming there's something wrong with my computer.

For fun you could try this:

If you can see other Wi-Fi networks nearby to you please try unticking the "Connect automatically" box for yourself and then go back and check whether it did as you asked or re-ticked the box. I'm certain you'll find that your own computer is also doing this.

Answer 4

Hi Rob. Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

The first two suggestions only apply to networks which I've already got access to. Those are perfect solutions to that problem but that's not my issue.

I can't stop Windows making (failed) attempts to connect to all of my neighbours' networks and that's causing disconnects from games.

It also has "Connect automatically" ticked for any open networks it finds - that's the actual worrying part.

I'm about to restart my machine after adding that registry entry you mentioned. I'm an optimist so I really hope that'll fix the problem, but I've also used Windows for many, many years and for that reason I don't expect anything to change.

Okay. Time to reboot...

EDIT: sadly the registry entry had no effect. Thanks for the idea though. I think using CAT5e cables instead of Wi-Fi is the only thing which is going to work here. Probably for the best as Wi-Fi has several issues going against it anyway - I just don't like a big mess of cables everywhere.

Answer 5

Also, whether my laptop can or cannot successfully connect to the other networks it is still making attempts to do so every now and again (presumably when it determines that one of the others might work better than my own) and this causes other issues such as disconnects from games.

No my friend, it's not attempting to connect anywhere - only you can do that - and your computer doesn't have the ability to make that determination on its own. You tell your computer where to connect.