How to Find Wireless Network Key WEP / WPA / WPA2

Find Wireless Network Key WEP / WPA / WPA2:

The WEP / WPA / WPA2 key is a password for your wireless network key. If you keep your wireless network open or unsecured then any one can connect. They can use your Internet service for Free. Not to do this, you should activate security on your wireless network. Many routers come with unsecured factory default settings. 

When you set up your router at the very first time, you run the installation CD. While running the Disc, you can enable the security on your WiFi and no one will be able to join your Wi-Fi without a security password. Here you will learn how to find wireless network key.

What are the Types of Wireless Security ?

WEP : Wired Equivalent Privacy . This is a type of security and it is supported by almost all the operating systems. Low security level but still used by many users. WEP security settings may decrease the speed of your wireless network.

WPA / WPA2 : Wi-Fi Protected access. This one is higher level of security as compared to WEP. This security type is not supported by some of the old operating systems like Windows 98 , Windows ME and Windows XP SP1. If you do not have an old operating system on your computers or laptops, then I will suggest you to go for WPA or WPA2 security settings.

Wireless Encryption Methods

There are three types of authentication for consumer Wi-Fi are WEP, WPA and WPA2. Many home routers can be set up to use any of these, but WPA2 is the most secure of the three, and should always be used if possible.
    
WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) was launched in September 1999, and began with only 64-bit encryption; it was later upgraded to offer 128-bit encryption. WEP was officially outdated in 2004 because it is less secure than the newer methods, but it is still found on modern routers for purposes of compatibility.

WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. Introduced in 2003, it supports 256-bit encryption methods including AES. It was designed to bridge the gap between WEP and the more complex WPA2.

WPA2 is the latest version of WPA which was launched in 2004. It enforces the use of AES and implements some stronger supporting protocols such as CCMP (Counter Cipher Mode). Although WPA2 still has some known shortcomings, they require significant computing resources, and the attacker must already have access to the local wireless network. WPA2 is still used today as the standard for powerful consumer-level wireless encryption.

All these methods need a password, also known as an encryption key when you want to connect. If you enter the correct key, a wireless connection is set up.

Creating a Wired Connection to the Wireless Router

In case, you have an Ethernet cable, and an Ethernet port on your computer, you can build a wired connection to your router.

Sometimes routers come up with a short Ethernet cable, also known as a category 5 cable, for just this purpose. It should have a connection at each end like the one pictured at right. If you don't have one, you can purchase one online, or at your local electronics store. A short cable length is okay, 3-feet should be enough.

Connect one end of the cable to your computer or laptop. Connect the other end to the back of the router, as shown in the picture.

After connecting the cable to your computer and your router, your operating system should automatically identify the connection. You can now move to access your router's configuration.

Easy Steps to Check Router Settings and Get the Key

When you have the router, just run the CD. And follow the instructions of the CD. You don’t know what you are doing and how you are doing. But you put the password and now you don't know what it is.

We can find wireless network key WEP / WPA on the set up page of the router. Set up page is a place where you will find all the settings of your router as well as the WEP / WPA key also. You just need one computer connected to the router with the cable or wireless. You can use that computer to check the setting of your router.

Remember there is a password to access the setup page of the router also. This is called as router login username and password. Wireless network key is not the router login password.

Wrapping it Up

So, I hope after reading this post you will be able to find wireless network key.