Monitoring mobile device data network usage to identify authentic Wi-Fi service
One example process may include determining whether an Internet connection of a client device to a network is to a primary priority network or a lesser priority network based on a network type, identifying one or more network parameters associated with the network when the network type is a primary priority network, and determining whether to maintain the Internet connection and whether to change a network priority of the network based on the one or more network parameters.
1 . A method comprising:
determining whether an Internet connection of a client device to a network is to a primary priority network or a lesser priority network identified in a list maintained by the client device, wherein a priority level associated with the network is based on a network type and the primary priority level of the network is maintained in the list;
identifying one or more network parameters associated with the network when the network type is a primary priority network;
determining the primary priority network is a Wi-Fi network transferring data over a non-priority backbone network using a cellular network based on the one or more network parameters;
identifying the primary priority network as a Wi-Fi network utilizing a cellular backbone network after the one or more network parameters are identified as being used by the cellular backbone network; and
changing a network priority of the network by demoting the network from the primary priority network to a secondary network having a lesser priority and removing the network as the primary priority network from the list maintained by the client device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , comprising
forwarding, via the client device, the one or more network parameters to a virtual private network (VPN) server;
receiving, via the client device, a confirmation message that the network type is a Wi-Fi network being operated over a cellular network as the non-priority backbone network;
responsive to receiving the confirmation message, performing the demoting of the network.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the network priorities stored in the list comprise the primary priority network, a secondary network, a backup network and a non-use network, and the network types include Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite.
4 . The method of claim 1 , comprising
determining a network adapter type used by the client device; and
determining the one or more network parameters comprise one or more of an IP address, a service set identifier (SSID) and a network name associated with the network.
5 . The method of claim 1 , comprising
comparing the one or more network parameters to a list of known network parameters; and
confirming the network type is correct based on the comparing.
6 . An apparatus comprising
a processor configured to
determine whether an Internet connection of a client device to a network is to a primary priority network or a lesser priority network identified in a list maintained by the client device, wherein a priority level associated with the network is based on a network type and the primary priority level of the network is maintained in the list;
identify one or more network parameters associated with the network when the network type is a primary priority network;
determine the primary priority network is a Wi-Fi network transferring data over a non-priority backbone network using cellular network based on the one or more network parameters;
identify the primary priority network as a Wi-Fi network utilizing a cellular backbone network after the one or more network parameters are identified as being used by the cellular backbone network; and
change a network priority of the network by demoting the network from the primary priority network to a secondary network having a lesser priority and remove the network as the primary priority network from the list maintained by the client device.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to
identify the client device has forwarded the one or more network parameters to a virtual private network (VPN) server;
identify the client device has received a confirmation message that the network type is a Wi-Fi network being operated over a cellular network as the non-priority backbone network; and
responsive to the confirmation message being received, perform the demotion of the network.
8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the network priorities stored in the list comprise the primary priority network, a secondary network, a backup network and a non-use network, and the network types include Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite.
9 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to
determine a network adapter type used by the client device; and
determine the one or more network parameters comprise one or more of an IP address, a service set identifier (SSID) and a network name associated with the network.
10 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to
compare the one or more network parameters to a list of known network parameters; and
confirm the network type is correct based on the comparison.
11 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform:
determining whether an Internet connection of a client device to a network is to a primary priority network or a lesser priority network identified in a list maintained by the client device, wherein a priority level associated with the network is based on a network type and the primary priority level of the network is maintained in the list;
identifying one or more network parameters associated with the network when the network type is a primary priority network;
determining the primary priority network is a Wi-Fi network transferring data over a non-priority backbone network using a cellular network based on the one or more network parameters;
identifying the primary priority network as a Wi-Fi network utilizing a cellular backbone network after the one or more network parameters are identified as being used by the cellular backbone network; and
changing a network priority of the network by demoting the network from the primary priority network to a secondary network having a lesser priority and removing the network as the primary priority network from the list maintained by the client device.
12 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform:
forwarding, via the client device, the one or more network parameters to a virtual private network (VPN) server;
receiving, via the client device, a confirmation message that the network type is a Wi-Fi network being operated over a cellular network as the non-priority backbone network; and
responsive to receiving the confirmation message, performing one or more of discontinuing the Internet connection and modifying a network priority of the network.
13 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the network priorities stored in the list comprise the primary priority network, a secondary network, a backup network and a non-use network, and the network types include Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite.
14 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform:
determining a network adapter type used by the client device;
determining the one or more network parameters comprise one or more of an IP address, a service set identifier (SSID) and a network name associated with the network;
comparing the one or more network parameters to a list of known network parameters; and
confirming the network type is correct based on the comparing.