A wireless connection based on Wi-Fi technology is a very convenient and practical thing. It is not surprising, because you can connect several devices to one router, which distributes a computer or a mobile point, and get high-speed Internet access. Issues of protecting such connections by users are sometimes ignored, although they should be given priority. It is further proposed to learn how to set a password for a WiFi connection, as well as to find out why this is necessary and what methods should be used.
Why do I need to set a password for a wireless connection?
To begin with, a little distracted from the main topic, we dwell on some issues of the appropriateness of protecting your own connection. There may be a lot of options.
The simplest problem is that with open access, the created connection can be used by anyone who has a computer or mobile device and is in the range of the distributing device. At the same time, it turns out that everyone enjoys access to the Internet, and only you pay for its service and traffic.
On the other hand, in the case of creating a home wireless network, setting a password helps to secure both the connection and the computers connected to it from various kinds of external interference. Of course, hacker attacks for home networks are a rarity. But the theft of personal data is not excluded. And here, as you know, the field of activity is very wide.
Thus, speaking of how to set a password on WiFi in any of the situations mentioned, it should be clearly understood what exactly means are provided for this on computers, routers and mobile devices.
Entering router settings
Initially, we will build on the basic settings and parameters of routers. Immediately pay attention to the moment that if you have questions about how to set a password for an ADSL-type WiFi modem, it must be configured to work in router mode initially and without fail.
The so-called web interface is used to set the appropriate options for any type of router. You can access it through any Internet browser installed in the system (although the most common Internet Explorer).
To do this, combinations based on 192.168 combinations are entered in the address bar, followed by combinations like 0.1, 1.1, 2.1, etc. For some non-standard router models, other combinations can be used, however, you can find out the exact address on a special nameplate located on the reverse device side. A login with a password is also indicated right there.
Presets with a choice of data encryption type and security certificate
Understanding how to set a password on WiFi, we will dwell a little on security tools, without which it will be impossible to fully secure the network or the created (created) connection. First, go to the security section and pay attention to the security certificate selection field.
Typically, desktop computers use the WPA2-PSK standard. If this type is not supported, you can set the usual version of WPA-PSK. The WEP certificate is more suitable for networks and access points when mobile equipment is used as a distribution device.
Having set the above options, select the type of data encryption. AES is used for the first standard described, and TKIP or mixed for the other two.
Note: if these settings are not configured, connection problems may arise in the future.
How to set a password on a WiFi router?
Now directly about setting a password. The desired combination should be written in a special field, which is most often located in the same section of the Wireless Security (Wireless Security) and may be called “PSK Security Key”, PSK Password, etc.
After entering the password, you must remember to save the changes made, otherwise the combination to protect access to the connection will be ignored.
Somewhat distracting from the main topic, special attention should be paid to the combination introduced. Using primitive passwords like “12345678”, qwerty, dates of birth, or something else like that is undesirable, since such passwords are cracked quite simply. It is better to use letters, numbers, and special characters. Of course, in this case, entering a password when trying to connect, say, from a mobile phone will be very problematic. But safety is more important!
How to change the password in Windows settings?
Now let’s dwell on another method that allows you to change the set password using the tools of Windows operating systems. How to set a new password on WiFi? Elementary! To do this, there is a network and sharing control section located in the Control Panel. You need to select your network, go to the properties of the wireless network by pressing the appropriate button, and then move to the security tab.
Here, for convenience, you can immediately check the box on the item display password. If necessary, the desired combination can be changed, and then save the changes. Upon completion of all actions, it remains only to reboot both the computer and the router.
How to set a password for WiFi distribution when creating a VPN server?
As for setting passwords for the created connection points, when a stationary computer or laptop is used as the distributing device, there is nothing particularly complicated either. The fact is that when creating connections using a VPN, a special “Wizard” is launched, in which a connection to a workstation is selected based on its VPN connection. At one of the stages, it will be proposed to enter data regarding the protection of distribution (independent installation of login and password). You can change the protective combination directly in the Windows settings using the method described above.
In the case of actions with a home group, when sharing options are set for computers, the operating system generates a password on its own. However, it is not difficult to change it either.
Setting passwords on mobile devices
How to set a password on WI-Fi when using stationary computers or laptops, it seems, is already clear. At the end of the topic, a few words should be said about the implementation of similar actions on mobile devices (they can be used as distributing devices with the creation of an access point).
How to set a password on WiFi on a phone or tablet? And here, as it turns out, there should not be any difficulties.
In the other networks section, located in the wireless settings, after creating the access point, you just need to go to its options, and then simply enter or change the password combination.
But here you can offer another solution. You can password protect not only the connection, but also generally access to WiFi, if, for example, the device falls into the hands of a child. In this case, the easiest solution is to install the Internet (Data / WiFi) Lock applet and select which data types to block.