Fingbox General FAQs

Updated December 10, 2024 15:29

Karl Shannon

Fingbox vs Routers

The difference between Fingbox and routers such as Starry, Eero and Luma is that Fingbox is not a router and does not provide your network with Wi-Fi. Instead, Fingbox is a network security and Wi-Fi troubleshooting toolkit that provides your network with protection against physical hacking. Fingbox is a complementary system to your existing router and is compatible with a range of routers.

Although some high-end routers come with some of Fingbox's security capabilities, most consumer-grade routers lack these capabilities and are therefore vulnerable to hacking. Fingbox is an affordable alternative for your home. Simply plug your Fingbox into your router and immediately protect your network against physical hacking.

Key Differences

Fingbox is complimentary to your existing network set up and is not equivalent to your router.
Fingbox is an affordable alternative to expensive routers.
Fingbox provides additional network security and troubleshooting features that are complementary to your router.
Fingbox will not slow down your network.
Fingbox provides information about how your Internet, Wi-Fi and Bandwidth performs and are used.

Local mode compatibility: Does Fingbox support local mode?

No. Fingbox does not work in local mode.

The Fingbox Hardware is lightweight because it acts only as an agent/probe and all the processing and storage power resides on our backends.

Multiple VPNs compatibility: Does Fingbox work with multiple VPNs?

No. The Fingbox does not work with multiple VPNs.

Fing does not support VPN (switches or repeaters) because VPN hides the real network. The Fing App may read a device using a VPN as a different device. When using a VPN, the device also may change MAC addresses.

Multiple VLANs and Subnets

A Fingbox device is needed for each VLAN or subnet.

Why does Fingbox produce so much traffic on my network?

For uploading data, automated Internet Speed tests are set as the default for all Fingbox users. This is how Fingbox can send an Internet performance report every month. The scheduled test takes around 30 seconds. The test discerns your Internet speed by measuring how much data can move through your connection in that time, in download and upload. The test uses different amounts of data depending on how fast your connection is and where you do the test. For example, a typical test in the U.S. can use up to 20 MB- 20Gb of data. If you turn off the scheduled Internet performance test, this will stop the traffic but you will not receive the Internet performance report every month.

Fingbox: Professional Monitoring

Can Fingbox monitor professional environments?

Yes. Fingbox can monitor professional environments.

While Fingbox was developed specifically for home networks, you can also use the device in professional environments, offices and small business settings.

Using Fingbox in a professional setting will depend on the network you wish to monitor and what you want to achieve. If you have a single network and want a basic understanding of what happens on it when you are away, then Fingbox can work in your professional environment, office or small business.

Fingbox will show you your network and all the connected devices, and alert you about any network or device status changes.

All-in-one internet box compatibility: Does Fingbox work with all in one internet boxes?

Yes. Fingbox works with all-in-one internet provider boxes that have the modem, router, switch, and Wi-Fi built in.

Network Set-up compatibility: Will Fingbox work with my existing network set-up?

Fingbox works with any existing network set-up that includes a router or access point on your network. If you have any questions in relation to your specific network layout, visit the Fing Community

Can I have more than one Fingbox on the same network?

You can have two Fingboxes on the same network. However, the Fingboxes will not act as ‘range extenders’ for each other for the DigitalFence feature. To do this, you need to access the different Fingboxes to see what what is on each Fingbox's respective DigitalFence feature.

Wi-Fi bands compatibility

Does Fingbox support all Wi-Fi bands?

Yes. Fingbox supports all Wi-Fi bands.

Usually, Wi-Fi enabled devices probe the 2.4Ghz spectrum periodically even when they are connected to a Wi-Fi with 5Ghz channels only. Therefore, Fingbox detects almost all devices even on 5Ghz channels.

If devices are not connected to a Wi-Fi network but they have the Wi-Fi option enabled, Fingbox will detect them.

Currently, a number of non-trivial mobile devices periodically probe Wi-Fi as part of mobile phone location services, even when the Wi-Fi option is disabled by the user, so Digital Fence in the Fingbox will detect them regardless.

Google Wi-Fi compatibility

Does Fingbox work with Google Wi-Fi?

Yes. Fingbox is compatible with both a single Google Wi-Fi network and two Google Wi-Fi mesh networks.

Compatibility with Google Wi-Fi Mesh Networks has been tested extensively by the team and all Fingbox features work.

Router, Access Point and Extender compatibility

Fingbox is compatible with most routers, access points, and extenders.

Device Blocking/Internet Pause and Bandwidth Analysis Features

While we have tested Fingbox with as many hardware devices as possible, it is not possible to test them all.

Some routers, access points, or extenders may prevent the following features from working properly:

Below is a list of known hardware which may prevent these features from working. We will continue to update this list as we get more feedback from users.

ACTIONTEC
– T3200M VDSL

ASUS
– SRT-AC1900 (OnHub)

BELL
– Home Hub 3000/Sagemcom Fast 5566
– GOOGLE OnHub TGR-1900 (TP-Link)
– OnHub SRT-AC1900 (ASUS)

LINKSYS
– N600 EA2500
– AC1900 EA7500
– AC2400 EA8350
– AC2600 Max-Stream EA8500

NETGEAR
– N600 WNDR3400
– AC1750 R6400
– AC2350 Nighthawk X4 R7500
– AC2600 Nighthawk X4S R7800

OPENMESH
– OM2P and OM2P-HS

SYNOLOGY
– RT2600ac

HUAWEI
– HG633

Pace 5268AC

Physical monitoring range

Fingbox’s physical monitoring range

Fingbox's connects directly to your home router so its physical monitoring range will match that of your router. There is no limit to the number of devices that Fingbox can monitor. This means that if you have a big house with Wi-Fi extenders and many devices, Fingbox will work with all of them.

DigitalFence monitoring range

The range of the DigitalFence is 50ft/15m.

DigitalFence is the only Fingbox feature that has a limit on its ranges. The DigitalFence shows you a history of all the Wi-Fi-enabled devices near your Fingbox, even if they are not connected to your network. For example, you can see if your dog walker arrived and left at the correct times.

Apple Airport compatibility

Yes. Fingbox is compatible with Apple Airports.

Internet Gateways, Network Switches and Modems compatibility

Fingbox is compatible with internet gateways, modems and network switches.

The Fingbox does not need to be physically in the middle of the internet gateway/modem and network switches to work.

Can I change or update the SSID name on Fingbox?

There is no way of updating the SSID apart from uninstalling and reinstalling your Fingbox.

This is because the SSID is saved in the network when the user performs a scan using the Fing App and when onboarding the Fingbox. After this first scan, all other scans are performed by the Fingbox. Because the Finbox is connected through a wired LAN cable, it is not capable of detective new SSID(s) in the network.

How many IP networks can I monitor with Fingbox?

One. The Fingbox can only monitor a single IP network.

IPv6

The following Fingbox features are compatible with networks that use either IPv4 or IPv6 or both:

Due to technical differences between the IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, the following features may provide unexpected results in networks where IPv6 and IPv4 are both enabled. They will not function in networks that are solely IPv6:

Internet blocking and pausing
Bandwidth analysis

The majority of modem routers can use either IPv4 or IPv6. We recommend disabling IPv6 on your internal network in order to fully utilize all the features of your Fingbox. Consult your routers user guide for information on how to do this on your network.

Multiple Access Point Compatibility

Fingbox supports multiple Wi-Fi access points that are on the same network.

Both Fingbox and the Fing App recognize multiple Wi-Fi access points as the same network and group them under one simple network within the app. Fingbox works with networks regardless of size, and Fingbox's user-friendly app makes complex single networks look straightforward.

My Fingbox cannot see all my APs or the devices connected to them

If your Fingbox is struggling to see more than one AP, connect your phone to each AP and perform a network scan. This should help your Fingbox better understand the network layout.

Deauth Attacks and Wi-Fi Jamming

Fingbox will alert you about the following threats:

Deauth Attacks: A Wi-Fi deauthentication attack that is a type of denial-of-service attack that targets communication between a user and a Wi-Fi wireless access point. A deauth attack will attempt to de-authenticate the users and steal their password.

Wi-Fi Jamming: The deliberate disruption of wireless networks by transmitting signals that interfere with or block the communication between devices. The Fingbox measures the signal continuously so it can detect interfaces.