How can I discover whether my wifi is locked?

It's not uncommon for your WiFi to detect other WiFi sources (neighbors for example) but that just means they haven't blocked their SSID's (network names) from detection. You can probably see that they are locked which means you can see them but you can't access them. The same for you. If your SSID (network name) is being broadcasted publicly, which it probably is, but you have your network password protected, you're relatively safe from unwanted intrusion. The more complicated your password the safer you are. You should have the password that was originally setup if you haven't changed it yourself for the reason that @JefferMC  gave. You can always change your password, which is not a bad idea if you've been using the same one for 12 years.

We understand the importance of securing your Wi-Fi network! Let us help you with your network security, @AlwaysCurious47.

First, let's have you complete a factory reset of your gateway. Doing this will revert your gateway to factory settings, and will disconnect all devices not connected via an Ethernet cord.

These are the steps to take:

1. Press and hold the gateway Reset button for at least 10 seconds. If you let go before 10 seconds, the gateway will reboot, but it won’t reset.
2. Wait until the gateway restarts and all the status lights are lit. 
3. See if the Broadband or Service status lights are solid green. If so, the reset worked.

Heads up: Be sure to jot down your custom settings, like your static IP address if you have one, or your Wi-Fi^® network name (SSID). You can then change them back after the factory reset.

After performing the factory reset, be sure to check that your Wi-Fi security is enabled. You can use the drop down menu in the aforementioend link to find the gateway model you have and get the steps to enable Wi-Fi security.

Lastly, after making a secure custom Wi-Fi password, you can hide your Wi-Fi network from being displayed on devices searching for Wi-Fi as well. Again, using the link provided, you can find the gateway model you have from the drop down menu to find the steps to hide your Wi-Fi network. 

Once you have successfully disabled your Wi-Fi network name (SSID), your name will no longer appear in the Available Wireless Networks screens. You will need to manually enter your Wi-Fi network name and password using your operating system’s instructions. Your network will then appear only on the devices where you have manually entered it into the network list.

Let us know if the other devices are still showing after performing the steps provided!

CalebP, AT&T communtiy Specialist 

@AlwaysCurious47  what do you mean when you say "Wi-Fi is locked?"  If you have a passphrase for your Wi-Fi that is not easy to guess and has not been given out, then your Wi-Fi is reasonably secure from others using it.  If you have posted your Wi-Fi passphrase on a sign in your front yard, then pretty much anyone may be using it; to correct that, change the passphrase to something else (which will require you to also change it in any device that you want to have access to your Wi-Fi) and don't allow your new passphrase to become public knowledge.  

I have never given my password to anyone. However, I recall when I first installed AT&T wi-fi some 12 years ago, I was setting up the router on the phone with someone from AT&T and he asked me if I wanted my wi-fi "locked" so no one could access it without a password. Of course, I said, "Yes." So, I know the old router was "locked." That router functioned until last year, when it died and was replaced. I simply plugged in the new router and everything worked fine. I never thought about security until all of these extraneous devices showed up on a recent wi-fi scan. It seems as if there should be some place that tells me whether that security is still in place. That is what I was asking. 

Yesterday, I asked how to find out whether my wi-fi is secured. Instead of a clear answer, telling me where the drop-down is so I can find the answer, I got a long diatribe about resetting my router to original factory settings, which will eliminate all devices not connected via Ethernet cable. That would be the only devices connected to the router -- my laptop and phone -- since they are both connected using Bluetooth. I just want to know WHERE I find the drop down that will tell me if my system is secured. That information is not clear in the very long reset answer I received. Could you please tell me where to find the information?

Thank you. 

The problem with your situation regarding turning back on what the original guy did... there's no such thing.  If there were, how would it work?  How it would magically know which devices to allow and which ones not?  Oh... the people who know your passphrase are the ones to allow, and the ones that don't should be blocked.  I can only think he was going to make your passphrase empty so that it wouldn't be necessary to put one in.  Since you said you wanted security, he put in a passphrase.

One feature of the AT&T Gateway management system is that it tries to configure a replacement gateway the same way the previous one was configured, i.e. copies the SSID and passphrases from the old one to the new one.  So that when you plugged the new one in, the gateway behaved just like the old one did... just like the other guy set it up.

[Someone is likely to come along someday and say "MAC filtering."  MAC filtering wasn't worth much when it was popular.  It's less than worthless now.  Don't even go there.]

Thanks much. That makes sense. In AT&T's original response, they reference a drop-down where I can check to see if the network is secure, but I cannot figure out where it is. That is my one question. 

You're welcome, @AlwaysCurious47. 

The drop-down boxes will be in the link provided in the previous message. You can find them here on information on Wi-Fi security is enabled.  You can find the other drop-down box here on information on how to hide your Wi-Fi network. After clicking on them, it'll give you a drop-down menu to choose the gateway that you have. 

Let us know you've got any other question. 

Robert, AT&T Community Specialist 

After reading that wonderful and informative article, I can basically confirm what I said (in fewer words) above:  He gave you a passphrase to keep just anyone from accessing your network.