How to Monitor Internet Activity on My LAN

Internet access from a private network involves connecting through a router that provides security to the private network as well as network IP management. However, routers that serve as an Internet gateway can also provide information about the Internet traffic sent from and received by hosts on the private network. Monitor Internet traffic on your local area network (LAN) using the gateway router that protects the private network.
Items you will need

* Linksys, D-Link or Netgear router/firewall serving as the network Internet gateway
* Microsoft Windows computer connected to the network
* User name and password with Administrator permissions on the router/firewall


Routers that serve as an Internet gateway can be used to block undesirable traffic to or from your network.



Step 1

Open a Web browser on the Windows computer and click on the address bar at the top of the window that
appears. Type "192.168.1.1" into the address bar and tap the "Enter" key. Type the Administrator user name and password for the router into the user name and password fields that display on the Web page that appears. Tap the "Enter" key. Click the "Log" tab. Click the "Enable" radio button. Click "Apply." Click "View Log" to monitor incoming and outgoing Internet traffic on your network.

Step 2

Start a Web browser on the Windows computer and then click the address bar near the top of the browser window. Type "192.168.0.1" into the address bar and press "Enter." Type the Administrator user name and password for the router into the text fields in the Web page that appears and press "Enter." Click the "Status" tab at the top of the Web page that appears. Click "Log" or "Logs" on the left side of the Web page and then scroll through the log entries using the computer mouse to monitor Internet traffic on your network.

Step 3

Open a Web browser window on the Windows computer. Click the address bar just below the menu items near the top of the browser window. Type "192.168.1.1" into the address bar and touch "Enter." Type the Administrator user name and password for the Netgear router into the Web page that appears and touch "Enter." Click the "Logs" link located on the left side of the Web page. Click "Refresh" in the "Logs" window to view the most recent entries and monitor the Internet traffic on your network.