Know what is a network security key so you may secure your network properly and in a better way. This phrase confuses many people who are not from the technology industry.
In this article, you will know about this network security key, its type, examples, and a lot more. You will also get to know how to find it. So read on this post and understand it better.
What is a Network Security Key?
The network security key is also referred to as a wireless network password.
This password is used to connect to a wifi network. Every access point or the router comes with its network security key, which you can change too from the settings.
This key protects your wireless network from hackers and intruders. The connection to a wireless network requires the password/key.
You can’t be authorized to a wireless network without entering the correct digital signature or the password. The stronger your password is, the secure your system is.
Also Checkout this Infographic on Wifi Security
Type of Network Security Key
Its most common types include the WEP and WPA/WPA2.
WEP
WEP is the Wired Equivalent Privacy. It makes use of a 40-bit key and a 24-bit initialization vector. In 2001, some cyber experts put forward some flaws of this key.
WEP isn’t used much as it can be cracked, and this way exposes your data to hackers. Many routers do not support this kind of key anymore.
WPA
Due to flaws in the WEP, the need arose for an alternative. In 2003, WPA was released.
It is backward with the WEP to make the adoption of this network key quicker and easier.
The changes introduced with the WPA were the TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) and the message integrity check. This TKIP changes with the packet.
WPA2
This security method offers the network more robust data protection. Moreover, it provides a superb network access control. Also, the WAP2 is quite easier to configure as compared to the other options available.
The encryption method used is the advanced encryption standard (AES). It doesn’t support the older software and is compatible with the new ones only.
The WPA2 demands some processing power, and due to this, it will either work slowly or may not work on older devices.
How to Find My Network Security Key?
If you have a device connected to a wireless network and you need to connect another device to this network, then you can easily get the password from the network settings of the connected device.
Network Security Key on Wireless Router
You can search for the default network security key on the label at the back or the bottom of the router.
There are different router manufacturer so you might find this key with the following labels:
- WPA key
- Password
- Wireless password
It will be near to the name of your network on the router. After you find it, connect to the wireless network through it. Make sure you change this key as this is the default one and is not much secure.
How to Find Network Security Key on Windows 10?
- Right-click on the start menu button, and a new menu will appear.
- Then click on the option network connections.
- Click on the ‘Network & sharing center.’
- From here, find your wireless network and click on it.
- Open its properties by clicking on the wireless properties button.
- You will find the masked password of your wireless connection in the security tab.
- To reveal it, click on the ‘show characters’ checkbox.
How to Find a Network Security Key on My Android Phone For Mobile Hotspot?
3G and 4G network support the hotspot.
You need to enable mobile data on your phone, turn on the hotspot, and the other device could connect to your mobile data by a network security key that you set up a hotspot setting.
- Open the wireless settings of your phone.
- Select the hotspot option.
- Turn on the wifi hotspot from here.
- From the WLAN hotspot option, you can modify the network security key.
- Save the changes.
- Connect the other device to your mobile data by entering the modified network key.
If you find any unauthorized access to your mobile data, then you can block it too from settings.
Network Security Key Mismatch
Sometimes you try to connect to a wireless network, and the key mismatch error occurs. There are various reasons for such an error.
Incompatible Device
Some old devices don’t support the WPA2 network passwords. Thus you might see the network available on them, but on connecting to it, you will get an error.
Wrong Password
You might be entering the incorrect key or with the wrong case. For example, it might be in uppercase, and you might be using the lower case. You can also reset the router password.
Access Point Hangs
It might be due to a hang of the access point. Reboot the router to fix it.
Also, Read What is WPS Button on Router?
Final Words
The network security key is also referred to as the Wifi password. You have to enter it to connect to a wireless network.
When you buy a new router, it comes with a password set on it. You have to reset this router password to make it secure and avoid any sort of unauthorized access.
Now you know what is a network security key, its types, and how to access it. This way, you can prevent unknown access to your device.
Also Checkout Network Vulnerability Assessments
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