Apparently, it makes no sense to say that most users have encountered a situation when, when trying to connect to a wireless network, the system issues a requirement to enter the so-called network security key.
About what it is, what it is used for and how to find it out, then the conversation will go. Consider several options for basic actions that will help even those who have forgotten the set combination for connecting via Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi network security key: what is it and what is it used for?
Let's start with the definition itself. What is a network security key , absolutely all users of computers and mobile devices know. Looking at the abstruse name, not everyone can figure out what is at stake.
In fact, this is a password that is set in the wireless settings so that it is not used by someone else and does not gain access to sensitive data, for example, when organizing home wireless networks with sharing files and folders.
Where to get the network security key: options
Many users, entrusting the settings of the wireless connection with the provider's specialists or acquaintances from the outside, often forget to write down the created password. And only then, for example, when restoring the system after critical failures or when it is completely reinstalled, they bite their elbows, remembering the desired combination to access the connection and painfully considering how to find out the network security key . To do this, you can try the following actions:
- network tools of Windows-systems for desktop computers and laptops;
- settings for routers;
- third-party programs;
- bruteforce (using brute force) to calculate the password of someone else's connection.
If the first three options are standard and are used in all Windows-systems, and the key is determined through a mobile device, then the use of brute force, from the point of view of legality or moral and ethical considerations, can be attributed to illegal actions. Consider all options, including gross interference, but solely for the purpose of general familiarization.
Using connection settings
So, how do you know the network security key that is set for the connection configured on the user's computer or laptop?
In the simplest case, when working with operating systems Windows 7 and below, after calling the properties of the current connection, the necessary section with the security tab immediately opens, where below the password input field, which by default is displayed as asterisks or dots, you need to check the box for displaying the entered characters . After performing such actions, the network security key can be written, copied or saved, for example, in a text file.
Similarly, you can access the necessary parameters in the "Network and Sharing Center", which is located in the standard "Control Panel" (in Windows 10 it is most easily called by the control command in the "Run" console). Here you simply select your connection, go to the properties of the wireless network and use the same security tab.
Security key information in the router settings
No less than a Wi-Fi network security key can be found in the settings of the router. To do this, first through any available browser, you must enter the router’s web interface, enter combinations like 192.168.0.1 or 1.1 at the end in the address bar, enter the login and password (usually this is admin for both fields), and then go to the wireless security menu (Wireless Security).
Here a special field will be shown, designated as PSK Password or something else in this spirit, where the desired access combination will be highlighted.
How to find out access password on mobile devices?
As for mobile devices, you can also use the activation of the password display field in them. However, it is far from always possible to determine the network security key in this way. In Android operating systems, the password is hidden deep enough; finding it without root rights can be quite problematic. Nevertheless, if you install them, for example, by installing the Kingo Root driver and secure your superuser rights, there will be no problems.
In this case, you will additionally need to install some kind of file manager like Root Explorer, go along the data \ music \ wifi path on the internal drive, find the wpa_supplicant.conf configuration file there, open it using any program for working with text documents (browser or built-in manager tool) and find the name of the desired network (SSID). The name of the network security key used for access will be indicated next to the name.
You can also use special applets like WiFi Password, after the call of which absolutely all the connections ever made from this device will be shown. Next, you only need to activate the display field of the network security key and view the necessary data.
Note: on mobile devices, similarly to Windows-systems, through the browser you can enter the settings of the router used and see the password in its parameters. But this is quite inconvenient.
Calculation of a password for someone else's connection
As for brute force, in most cases specialized programs are used to crack passwords.
For Windows, the Aircrack-ng utility is recognized as the most popular, and for mobile devices running Android-systems, the WBR program. For obvious reasons, issues related to their use and detailed instructions are not considered.