We have a wireless network available to members in our small (senior) community. Several times now, the network name and password have been replaced with a community member's name and new password.
We have a Cisco router and remote management is not enabled.
The only way that I know how this can occur is to connect an ethernet cable between a computer and the router, consciously address the router (192. etc), enter the router's name and password and make the changes, (which is what I have done several times now and, the last time, I changed the router's password from the default to a new one.)
My question is: am I right in thinking that changing things about requires an ethernet cable and purposely entered changes? Is it possible that someone accesses the modem via ethernet cable or wireless and software in their computer changes the network's name and password unbeknownst to them? (the password they left behind was quite long gibberish that appeared computer generated vs an easily memorizable grandkid's name)
Also, have I eliminated the problem by changing the router's default password?
No matter what, no one will be accused. I just would like to know if such a thing could be accidental or not.
Someone could have defaulted the device to factory settings and loaded new user name and password. It needs to be locked up in a box.
Thanks for your reply, WHT.
Since my last post, something new has happened. As I said, I changed the bogus network name and password back to what the original names were. Next I changed the router access password from the default 'admin' to a unique one known only to me and one other person.
A day later... the bogus name and password are back! However, the new, unique router access password is intact. Assuming for the sake of argument that the new unique password remains uncompromised, how might such a thing occur, and could it occur unknowingly whenever some particular user accesses the network?
Unauthorized Network Name Change 
Linear Mode
