NETWORK SECURITY KEY: WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO YOU FIND IT?

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If the Wi-Fi network is protected, then when connecting to it, the device will ask us to enter the network security key. For some reason, many at this stage of the connection have problems and the following questions: what is the network security key, where to get this key, how to find out, etc. In fact, everything is very simple. Each Wi-Fi network (router, access point) has an owner. The person who installed the router and configured it. So, in the process of setting up a Wi-Fi network, this same network security key is installed on the router, or just a password (this is the same thing) that protects the wireless network. So that only those who know this key can connect to it.

If a security key request appears when connecting to our home Wi-Fi network, then we need to know the password that we set in the router settings. Enter the password, and if it matches, the device connects to Wi-Fi. Yes, we may have forgotten the key, or lost it. If this is your case, then I will tell you how to find out the security key of a Wi-Fi network. If the network is someone else's, then it is unlikely that we will be able to connect to it. Unless you ask the network owner for a key. In the case of public Wi-Fi networks (in cafes, shops, shopping centers), etc., the password can be obtained from the administration of the institution. If the network is secure, of course.

About Wi-Fi networks protection and security keys

In the settings of each router, you can select the Wi-Fi network security algorithm (WEP, WPA, WPA2) and encryption (TKIP, AES). The most reliable and popular WPA2 algorithm at the moment. I recommend using it. When installing this algorithm, you must set a security key. It must be at least 8 characters long. I talked about this in the article: type of security and encryption of a wireless network. Which to choose?

I recommend installing a strong security key and using the most modern type of security and encryption. Now it is WPA2 - Personal with AES encryption. These settings, paired with a good password, will reliably protect your wireless network from connecting other people's devices. I already wrote a separate article on this topic: maximum protection of a Wi-Fi network and router from other users and hacking.

I showed how to set the security key in the router settings (using the example of routers from different manufacturers) in the article: how to protect a Wi-Fi network with a password.

Conclusions: Wi-Fi network security key - this is a password, a set of characters (for example: fw2rLe5tG) that is set in the router settings and serves to protect the Wi-Fi network. Connection to a secure wireless network is possible only after specifying the security key on the device. The request appears after selecting the required network from the list of available ones.

How do I find out the security key of a Wi-Fi network?

If we have forgotten the network security key, then it must be somehow remembered, restored, or replaced with another. This can be done in different ways, which I will discuss later in the article. If you have forgotten or lost your Wi-Fi key, then the first thing I recommend is to contact the person who set up the router and set the password (if it was not you, of course). Perhaps during the process of configuring the router, the key was recorded somewhere. Maybe even on the router itself. If the router installed a wizard from an Internet provider, then perhaps he wrote down the key in the documents that he left you after completing the work. Just do not confuse the Wi-Fi password with the password for connecting to the Internet provider.

One more point: almost all routers have a default wireless key that protects the Wi-Fi network when the router is at factory settings. Until then, until it is changed. So, if you did not change the factory key, or reset the router settings, then you need to use the factory security key to connect to the wireless network. It is usually written on a sticker on the bottom of the router. It can be signed in different ways: Wi-Fi Password, Network Key, Wireless Key, Wi-Fi Key, PIN.

I'll show you three ways you can recover your Wi-Fi security key:

View the security key in the properties of the Wi-Fi network we need in the Windows settings. When we have a computer that is currently connected, or was connected to a wireless network, the key from which we forgot. You can also find out the key to the desired network using the WirelessKeyView program.
View the Wi-Fi dongle in the router settings.

You can also see the password on the Android device (if it was connected to this network), but there you need ROOT rights. It is unlikely that someone will do this. If anything, there are separate instructions on the Internet.

We look at the network security key in Windows 10

Standard situation: a laptop, several other devices were connected to the wireless network, after which the key was successfully forgotten. There is no way to connect the new device.

We will be able to view the network key using the method described below only if the computer is currently connected to this network. If he used to connect to this network, but is not connected now, and you have Windows 10, then use the WirelessKeyView program.

If you have Windows 7, then see the instructions in this article: how to find out your Wi-Fi password, or what to do if you forgot your password?

In Windows 10, open "Network and Internet Settings".

Go to the "Network and Sharing Center".

Click on the network to which our computer is currently connected.

In the window that opens, click on the "Wireless network properties" button. In a new window, go to the "Security" tab and put a check mark next to "Show entered characters". In field "Network Security Key" our key will appear (password from Wi-Fi).

If this method didn't work, but you are sure that your computer was connected to this wireless network (Windows remembered the key), then you can try to view all the saved networks and passwords to them using the WirelessKeyView program. It works in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 and even Windows XP.

You need to download the program from the official website http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_key.html (download link at the bottom of the page), open the archive and run the WirelessKeyView.exe file.

After starting the program, we find our network (by name) and look at the password in the "Key (Ascii)" fields.

Since the program will most likely crawl into some system files, the antivirus can swear at it (mine was silent). You can turn off the antivirus for a while, if necessary.

How to view the Wi-Fi key in the router settings?

The network security key can be viewed in the router settings. Moreover, if necessary, it can be changed to a new one. This is a more versatile solution, since you can enter the router settings from almost any device. Including connecting to the router via a network cable. If we can't connect via Wi-Fi, because we forgot the security key and we need to find it out somehow.

If you have access to the router settings, consider that the problem is solved.

The most important thing is to go to the router settings. See this guide: how to enter the router settings. If you can't get in, write your router model in the comments and describe the problem (what exactly does not work and at what stage). I will try to suggest a solution.

Further in the web interface of the router, you need to find the section with the security settings for the wireless Wi-Fi network. If we consider it using the example of a TP-Link router (with an old web interface), then you can view / change the network security key in the "Wireless mode" - "Wireless security" section. The key is listed in the "Wireless Password" field.

Save the password (write it down somewhere). And if necessary, change it and save the settings. Only then will you need to reconnect all devices to the wireless network.

These articles will help you find and view, or change the Wi-Fi network key on your router (instructions for different manufacturers):