Securing a wireless connection with a secret character set is a standard measure taken to protect the network from intruders or intruders. Data security largely depends on the strength of the password, so this issue cannot be ignored. Only a professional will be able to gain access to reliably protected information, but it is unlikely that he needs it, while it is definitely worth protecting his network from small pests and freeloader neighbors.
Often, during the initial setup, performed hastily at the moment of connecting to the Internet, a password is not put on the Wi-Fi connection at all, so in the future the user has to deal with this issue on his own. Let’s take a look at how to secure your network and assign or change a password.
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Step-by-step instructions for changing your password
Not every user will be able to cope with setting up a router, and even for someone who has already encountered a similar procedure and understands a little about this issue, it can take a lot of time. Detailed instructions will help you to easily and quickly cope with the task. Let’s consider step by step how to set or change a password on a Wi-Fi router.
Step 1. Connect the router to your computer / laptop
First of all, the router must be connected to the computer, so if this is not the case, we connect. The Internet cable must be inserted into the WAN router connector, the power cord that comes with the router. We connect one end to a compatible port of the computer, the other to the LAN connector or 1, 2, 3, 4 routers.
Step 2. Determine the local IP address
To access the Wi-Fi router settings and change the password, you need to specify the IP address in the address bar of the browser, which can be found in several ways:
- View information on the device case, where the address and login data (login and password) will be indicated.
- Open the “Network Connections” section (for example, using the “Run” console (Win + R) and the ncpa.cpl command ), click on the PCM Wireless Network – “Status” – “Information …”. In the line “Default gateway Ipv4” will be the desired address.
- Open “This computer” (“My computer”), select “Network”. In the “Network infrastructure” section, the name of the router will be displayed, click the PMK – “Viewing the device’s web page” or “Properties” – the “Network device” tab, here in the device information block opposite the “Web page” item there will be an address by clicking on which can navigate to the page that opens in the browser.
- Find out from the provider, informing the model of the network device and data for identification.
Step 3. The page for entering the router settings
You can get to the device settings page through any browser. We find out the IP address (most often it is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but it may be different) and open the page, after which we enter the login and password in the window that appears.
Step 4. Login and password
By default, the username admin and the same password (or empty) are usually used – this information can be seen on the case of the network device, but if it was not possible to log in with the standard authorization data, it is possible that they have already changed. If you do not have this information, then you can reset the settings to the factory values using the special Reset button on the router, and you will have to configure the router again.
Step 5. Wireless network settings and security
In your office, you will need to go to the “Wireless mode” – “Wireless security” section and find the “Wireless network password” here. The section can be called differently, for example, Wireless or WLAN, and the password is located directly in it or in the subsection of protection or Wireless Security.
[setting a password for a wi fi network in the control panel]
Step 6. Change the Wi-Fi password
So we got to the right point. Now, in the corresponding line (may be called “PSK Password”, “Security Key”), replace the old Wi-Fi password with the new one, and then save it. The settings will take effect after the router is rebooted.
Step 7. Security type
Now we check the type of security used (the name may differ depending on the device). Protection can be of different types:
- WEP is an outdated and insecure option.
- WPA is more advanced security, compatible with different operating systems and devices.
- WPA2 is an enhanced version of WPA (Personal is recommended for use on a home network, Enterprise is suitable for offices).
We choose WPA2 with AES encryption for use at home, on many routers the parameter is by default, but if not, change it.
Step 8. Wireless network name
The network name (SSID) can also be changed immediately. It is better to change the standard name when setting up the router for the first time; it will be displayed in the list of available Wi-Fi points. To change the name, go to the “Wireless network” section (Wireless or others, depending on the router model). In the line “Wireless network name” or SSID, change the default name and save the changes. They will take effect after the router is rebooted.
Step 9. Changing the router password
You shouldn’t leave the default access code for a Wi-Fi router either, the steps for changing the password also differ depending on the device model. You can change the data of the router in the “System” section (it may have a different name, for example, “Management”, “Operation”, etc.), enter a new security key to enter in the corresponding line and save.
Features of manufacturers
Although the principle of configuration on different models of routers is similar, there are some nuances depending on the manufacturer of the device. Usually this concerns the names of sections, which can confuse an inexperienced user who decides to use the general instructions to change the password from Wi-Fi. Consider the specifics of setting up devices from popular manufacturers, while taking into account that minor differences are possible on different firmware of models of the same production.
D-Link
We open a web browser and register the address (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), enter the authorization data – login: admin and password: admin or leave it blank.
To change the access code, go to the Wi-Fi section, open the “Security Settings” and change the PSK encryption key, then click “Apply” (Setup – Wireless Setup – change the data in the Network Key line).
TP-Link
In the browser, go to the page with the IP address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, to enter the account we use a login / password pair – admin .
Go to the Interface Setup – Wireless – Wireless Security section. Change the password by applying the new one instead of the old one, and save by clicking “Save”. In the case of Russian firmware, open the section “Wireless Mode” – “Wireless Security” and change the data in the “PSK Password” line.
Rostelecom
The popular provider offers different models of routers (D-Link, ZTE and others), while the setup process will be carried out according to the same principle. We go to the settings of the network device using the address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, enter the login admin and the password admin or 1234 .
We find the section responsible for configuring the WLAN, select the “Security” item in it and enter the new data in the “WPA / WAPI password” field, save it.
ByFly
The ByFly provider (Beltelecom), like Rostelecom, installs different models of routers (TP-Link, Huawei and others), so the interface of the settings page is different, although the algorithm of actions remains the same. Taking into account your device model, we apply the appropriate instructions.
Huawei
We go to the settings using the address 192.168.100.1 and authorization information, login – telecomadmin password – admintelecom (or root and admin , look at the case), In the WLAN Settings section we find the WPA Pre SharedKey line and change the security key, then click Apply to save changes.
Asus
In the browser, go to the settings page (192.168.1.1), go through the authorization (admin / admin) and select additional settings in the office and go to the “Wireless network” – “General” section. In the “Pre-shared WPA key” field, change the cipher and save the changes by clicking “Apply”.
ZyXel
We go to the settings of the router using the address 192.168.1.1 and authorization data admin / 1234. Open the section “Wi-Fi network”, select “Security” and in the line “Network ASCII key” enter a new access key, save.
Tenda
In the settings, select “Wireless Setting” (if the device is with Russian firmware, the section is called “Wireless Security”), in the WiFi Password line, replace the access key, click “OK”.
MicroTik and Ubiquiti
In the case of the MicroTik device, go to the “Wireless” – “Security Profiles” section – the “General” tab and at the bottom of the window that opens, replace the data in the corresponding field, and then save the changes.
It’s even easier on an Ubiquiti router. We go to the section “Wireless” – “Wireless Security” and enter a new key in the line, then save the data with the button “Change”
How to find out the current password
You can find out the current cipher on the settings page, it will be available in the corresponding field, where you can go in the same way as for changing the secret code. The process and menu item names differ slightly depending on the model.
How to make the perfect password
To ensure security, the cipher must be reliable and, ideally, consist of at least 8 characters, and contain combinations of numbers, letters and keys in the set. You should not use consecutive and repeated numbers or letters (in a row on the keyboard), as well as names, nicknames of animals or memorable dates. A strong password will combine Latin letters, including capital letters, and numbers in random order.
To create such a password, you can compose a small sentence or phrase (or take it from a book or press), write some letters from it in capital letters, write them in Latin and add numbers. A reliable secret code is ready, such a hack will not work quickly, and those few people who are able to do this will definitely not waste their time hacking your network.