How do I find my WEP key?
88This article will answer the question 'How do I find my WEP key?'. This is a question that is mostly done when trying to connect a laptop or other portable device, such as a handheld games console such as the Sony PSP or Nintendo DS, to a wireless network. Many mobile (cell) phones such as the Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid, Google Nexus One, HTC Hero and Nokia X6 can also connect to wi-fi networks. However, as this is a part of technology many people are not very familiar with, first an explanation will be given as to what a WEP key is.
What is a WEP key?
Wired equivalent Privacy or WEP for short is a special code used ensures that wireless networks are secure. Wireless networks are ways of broadcasting information using radios waves, and are often used in conjunction with a connection to the internet, enabling devices to connect to the internet without the need for wires. In the case of most homes and business the wireless network is created through use of a single router. This is generally a small box which is plugged into the phone/cable line. This router will thus act as the means of converting internet signals through a wire into wireless signals to be read by a laptop.
By making a network secure, it is possible to restrict who accesses it. This can be done for several reasons. Firstly, if a network isn't secure someone may be able to intercept the information travelling between the router and the laptop, handheld gaming device etc. This is obviously a big deal if entering in personal or financial details to online websites-in theory someone could steal all this information if it is transmitted over an unsecured network. The second main reason for wishing to secure a network is to restrict access to the network to only those devices which are authorised to. Since there is a cost for connecting to the internet, and sometimes charges for the amount it is used, it is in the interest of the person paying the bills to ensure that no unauthorised people use the connection.
WEP security is thus used to ensure the network is a secure network. Whilst there have since been other forms of encryption which are more secure than WEP, WEP is probably still the most widely used of encryption, and the one to which most devices have compatibility, including the Sony PSP and many laptops.
How do I find my WEP key?
There are two ways of finding a WEP key. The first way is to look on the router itself and on any packaging that came with it when purchased; there may be information on here. The second way is slightly more complex and so for ease of use this has been displayed in numbered stages. This has been tailored for using a Linksys router, and so there may be slight differences in the words if using a different router such as a Belkin.
Steps to find a WEP key:
1. Open a browser (the program used to access the internet). The following process worked for myself when using the Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera browsers, although I am unsure whether it will work for other browsers (eg Chrome, Safari etc).
2. Type the following into the address bar of the browser. If using a Linksys router type in "192.168.1.1" and if using a Belkin router type "192.168.2.1". The address bar is the area where webpages are typed. It is important when typing in that there is NO http://www. before the numbers.
3. If all has gone well this should open a page that either says Linksys or Belkin.
3. There may be the need to login. When using a Linksys if you don't know what the username and password are it may still be the factory settings, and so enter in "admin" for the username and "password" for the password. If using a Belkin router, the factory settings often come with no password, so just click submit without typing in a password.
4. Click on a) "Wireless" or b) "settings".
5. Click on a) "Wireless security" or b) "wireless settings".
6. There should be a page with a WEP key listed.
7. Write it down/copy and use as you wish!
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I agree BrianS. There are loads of people who don't encrypt their networks! I guess it is ok to have an unsecured network when living on a remote island, but aside from that it is silly! I have often picked up unsecured networks when sitting on the train, especially when in stations!
I have to admit that my network is not secured but then I live one mile down a dirt road on a 500 acre ranch. But still it amazes me how many people in cities do not password protect their network.
I agree ebngriston it is amazing how many people don't secure networks. There are situations when there is probably no need to, such as yourself, but in the vast majority of cases it should be done.
Thanks for the info. I have a Linksys router and just tried or tip. worked with no problem. Thanks again.
I would suggest people add a MAC address also
i too agree with that.... though i live in a rural area people still get into my wep wifi adapter. since im a computer geek i decided to add a virus into other computers that interfere with my connection except for my own.... all i had to do was type in my computer code and then set the TROJAN VIRUS onto anyone elses computer that tries to get into it.....
I am glad that you found this guide on how to find a WEP key useful Gift Experts and summerplace that is certainly an interesting alternative to encrypting the wireless network!
If you forget your password and have found yourself locked out of your own network, do not worry. Belkin Routers have a Master Reset button underneath the router. Press the button and hold for about 30 seconds. This will reset and disable the password function. Just simply follow the above tips to enter a fresh password. I have only used Belkin routers and do not know if other manufacturers have a reset button? You will have to browse the site of your manufacturer for this information. I recommend you do it in case you ever need to reset your password.
Thanks for the comment Sefronite. That will be very useful advice for many people I am sure! I am not sure whether there is such a reset switch on Linksys etc routers as I personally have a Belkin - but maybe another commenter will say?
Most commercial home routers have a reset button, if you press it whilst powering up the router it will reset the router to it's default factory settings.
Thanks for that feedback Radcomx. I should imagine it will be useful for many people!
Everytime I upgrade or get new computers for our teenagers, etc.... face the same dance trying to get them onto my encrypted internet service, so you have given me the solution, I will bookmark this Hub and hope it will never go away and there will be no more 20 holds on the phone with a computer tech! Thanks Bristol Boy! ;)
The random wireless internet stations you pick up in train stations may very likely be "free internet hotspots" that are all the rage in coffee shops. But otherwise yes, things hould be secure.
The only good thing about an unsecured network is that you can honestly say that you don't know where the traffic is coming from...Have you considered TOR or an onion router to further increase security?
I am glad that my article has been of use Deborah-Lynn!
Thanks for taking the time to comment Random Interneteer and thaninja!
Thanks for the info. i read somewhere that WEP isnt so secure, i use WPA.
THANKKKKK YOOUUUUUU SOOOOO MUCHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE ONLY WEBSITE THAT ACTUALLY WORKSSSS
tHANKSSSSS SOOO MUCHH!!!
Thanks for commenting soUPERMan. Also I am glad you found it useful ANONOYMS!
I can't seem to find a single person having the same problem as me. I have accessed the "Wireless" page on my D-Link router's site and scrolled down to my WEP code however it obviously is listed in encrypted form yet all these instructions are saying "Scroll down to where your WEP code is written, copy it down and finished!". How is it I am supposed to decipher my code? Some have said elsewhere that my default WEP is printed on the bottom of my router, however I have found this is not the case. Any advice anyone could provide me would be appreciated.
Hi Frank. I have to say that I myself am unsure of the response - but maybe someone else will know how to solve your problem? If you do find the solution please share - will help many others I am sure!
Didn't know any of this! But we both have got protected networks in our houses - more by luck than judgement.
Thanks - we may need this info.
Hi. Thanks for commenting 2patricias - I am glad you found this article on how to find your WEP key potentially useful!
THANK YOU SO MUCH - whoever wrote those instructions... YOU ROCK!!!!! KUDOS TO YOU - THANK YOU I LOVE YOU !!!!
You are welcome for the assistance! It is good that these instructions allowed you to find your WEP key easily!
Amazing how many people lose or forget their passwords, codes, etc!
jstankevicz it is amazing how many people manage to forget their details and passwords etc, especially their WEP key for their computer and this is why there has been this page on how to find a WEP key.
Thanks for the information, I have a lot to learn.
jayjay40 I am glad you found this information on how to find a WEP key useful!
I opened the WEP thing in Wireless Security but it said the server is busy... Halp!
Thanks for commenting Guest. Without more information I am unable to give an answer on how you can find your WEP key - could you clarify more?
Yes, It is necessary to secure you wireless network. Though wireless network makes our work easier, it is essential to take proper precautionary measures.
Eventhough the information provided on how to find your wep key does not cover all makes and routers, i still think it will be useful to most. thanks for sharing.
Hi save my system! I deliberately avoided all makes of routers because there are so many and so concentrated on the main ones to make it more simple for the people searching on how to find their wep key allowing them to access their wireless network. So far I haven't had any people asking for other router makes so I hope I have got the right balance between making it not to daunting for those who arent that technically minded (many people who are searching for a wep key will fall in this category) and enough information. And as I am sure you will appreciate when including information for how to find a wep key with smart phones such as the Apple iPhone it becomes even more complex and when handheld playing devices such as the Sony PSP are included the total number of potential options is almost infinite!
Hey BristolBoy, what a great article, and how important!!! Thanks for sharing all the info on WEP keys
Hi Dentists Jobs. It is good to know that you found this article on finding a WEP key useful!
Hi, i can´t seem to find my WEP key. When I typed in the url, the only things that appear in the top bar are: Setup - Password - Status - DHCP - Log - Security - Help - Advanced. I looked everywhere, but I can't seem to find my WEP key. Can you help me?
Wout, which router are you using? Did you try clicking on the various options? Probably the best place to look is under the Password section.
when i go for to type in just "admin" and just password it wont work help
i am trying to find it out on a cable connection for a test
should i do it on a wireless computer insted?
Hi help needed. I am assuming you are trying to find your wep key. What wireless router make are you using? It may help trying to find the wep key/wireless password using a wireless device such as a laptop but without knowing more information I cant say for certain!
Hi BristolBoy, I did all that you said and I got onto the page for my Belkin router but my WEP Key was empty any suggestions?, I'm using a WPA Key at the moment so that could be why. I'm trying to get online on my sisters' Nintendo DS and it said this Access point is not supported by Nintendo because I was using WPA instead of WEP...
Hiddenkarl I think you are correct in there being no WEP key because you are currently using WPA encryption. Changing this to WEP should enable you to connect the Nintendo DS to the internet/network!
I use WPA personal but i want to use WEP what do I do?
Your WEP key is usually on the back of your router, however sometimes you do get a card with it, like a credit card size which has it on.
Hi Bristol Boy, How important is it to use a WEP key?
Hi, I have a Belkin router and looking for WEP Key. I was able to access the Router Utility Setup Screen and the under security it gives me the option of changing my wep key, but i cant find where it will show me what my existing key is. Also, I noticed that are several other people currently using my wireless signal and am unsure how to give them the boot. Any advice would be great....
Dental Jobs using a WEP key is not imperative but it is important to have some form of encryption on your network.
Just an FYI, WEP is pretty much useless, it can be broken in a matter of minutes. If you want security, go with the WPA2-PSK method.
Carey that is a good point, although to do that you would have to be reasonably technically minded. Also some devices (in particular handheld gaming devices like the Sony PSP/Nintendo DS) only work on WEP encrypted networks!
This is some great information that people need. I have helped many people with their computer problems and am always amazed that their networks are not secure.
Shawn Scarborough it is amazing how many people don't use encryption such as WEP - hopefully your words will encourage more people to do so!
It just keeps saying that it cant display the webpage I dont know what to do???
anucksfan227 what sort of router are you using?
Hi, we are with Linksys and I used the 192.168.1.1 code in the broser but then a page pops up asking a Username and Password. I typed in all the combinations that you said could work, but none of them worked, so I cannot get onto the website. I don't know what else the password and username could be. I tried the Belkin code too in my browser (though I know we are with Linksys), but it comes up as Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage. Any ideas? I am trying to find the WEP key so I can use my Nintendo DS, if this helps.
Hi Jessica. From what you mention it is not possible to get to your WEP key since there already being a password. This may have been set up by someone else who has used the network. Maybe you could ask them? Alternatively the WEP key may be on some of the information which came with your router.
the username and password that you told me to use "admin and "password" did not work. And I really need that WEP key but nothing is helping at all.
hey guys, so i'm one of those idiots who didn't set up a WEP and used my router unsecured.
I just trusted my neighbors but I guess they aren't so nice.
It looks like one of my neighbors connected and made up his/her own WEP?
I'm currently using a free local wifi to post this.
I currently have the router unplugged to see whether it was just a matter of confusion with same SSID but it doesn't seem like it.
*I left mine as linksys and now it's asking for WEP
Any suggestion on what I should do?
besides posting a note on the front door of our building? haha
What do I do if the page is not loading. I have been trying to get on it for 3 weeks now and every time it says server is too busy and cannot load. Is there another way I can find my WEP key code?
okay i have a belkin router and still it dousn't have the correct password when i try to type in nothing, and i tried restarting my entire router and it still dousn'y work help me
Well I can't login we forgot our password and we use a linksys pls help
I agree with Carey. People should not be using WEP. WEP can be cracked in 20 seconds. Should use WPA2-PSK. If your wireless router is old that it does not have WPA2, then at least switch it to WPA until you can buy a newer router. WPA2 replaces WPA. Some governments and others that need high security uses AES (which is even more secure than WPA).
hi, I have a somewhat different problem BristolBoy. Maybe you can help?
I currently have a desktop and laptop that run thru a Netgear router. I can connect the laptop via the wireless, but another (work) laptop doesn't seem to work.
I have all the MAC addresses in the access list, and I'm pointing to the same shared WEP key, but nada....when I try to connect the work laptop its asking for a 'key' and I cannot figure out which key it wants (my home laptop automatically connects without asking for a password? why does the work machine want one? Both appear to have same settings when you look at the properties on the wireless networks tab.
I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong between the two laptops and the router. The work machine is XP the others are Windows 7 if that matters?
Thank you so much
I could not get passed step three, i tryed what you recomended but it did not work. Is it posssible to find my username and password? By the way I have a LINKSYS router, if that is any help at all.
In the worst case, I think there's a reset button right BristolBoy? So if you just forgot the password to your router, there should be a little reset button somewhere on your router. Afterwards, it should be back to the default settings, which means the default username and password. I hope this helps!
Umm. I'm still not able to find it it says WPA password i TYped it in my DS but it says its invalid and my bro used it for his PS3 and it worked can you please help me I badly want Wi-Fi
i have gone to the 198.168.2.1 thing and i found many and i dont know which one to enter! please help me
I got up to the sign in page. I type "admin" & "password," BUT it says this server is requesting that your username and password be sent in an insecure manner (basic authentication without a secure connection). Does this mean my network isnt secure?
Hello BristolBoy,my laptop is connected to my network and they have internet connection.the issue is,when i click display character to my wep key.The character is dissapear,how to find my wep key?i dont have access to the router.tnx
My wireless is provably way to secure for my liking. I am having problems connecting my psp to the internet, as it wont detect my own wireless.
Now, I have scoured the entire internet and there is not one single site that explains how to add my psp MAC address to my Belkin rooter so it allows my psp to find it.
If any expert on this reds this, could you please explain in detail what to do, since when it comes to wireless, i don't have a clue what I'm doing.
I tried to add the connection manually, but it allways states that it can't be found.
Alternatively are there any other settings I can change that are still secure, but allows me to connect my psp?
I am not familiar with this, and as such i need a step by step guide, and not just something like: you need to allow this or that, cause that doesn't tell me anything.
Hi all, sorry I took so long to reply! Several of you have had problems connecting to networks which you have put passwords on but can no longer remember. As mindoface has suggested, there should be a reset button somewhere on your router and once this is pressed the process outlined above should work. Good luck!
Great hub ,Thanks for sharing details
htodd thanks for commenting, I am glad you found it useful!
i have a sky router, what can i do ?
Harry Hutton I assume you mean a Sky router as in the UK TV company. If this is the case it is most likely manufactured by another company (possibly Belkin) and so it would make sense to try out the methods mentioned above to see if any of these work. Let us know how you get on.
I can´t loggin into 192.168.1.1.
When I type in admin as username and password/admin as password, nothing is happening.
Help
Hello BristolBoy!
When I write 192.168.1.1 on the explorer thing and writes down the username admin and the password admin or password it doesn´t work.
Why?
(I´m using a linksys router)
Hi Help/Guest. It may be you already have a password set up. Maybe you could press the master reset if you can't get anything else to work (normally near the bottom). However such an option may prevent you using the internet if the router was provided by your ISP so you should think very carefully before doing this.
So, I looked on my router and I couldnt find the WEP key?It's Linksys, by the way. And I tried 192.168.1.1 and it didnt work. Any ideas?
Hi SomeoneOutThere. Have you tried a hard reset (pressing the reset button which is found somewhere on the router?
I wish I could find a way to bypass hotel logins and find their wep key..lol
Dental practices for sale - wouldn't it be easiest to just go to reception (or even ring up if you are extra lazy!) and ask them for the WEP key?
I can't access it...mainly because my web browser automatically puts in a http:// before the numbers...when i try this it just says it's an invalid address is there a way around this?
can anyone help me because I have a wee problem. Im trying to access my home network but i put the wrong WEP key in a couple of times because im stupid and now the network isnt asking me for a password!? Ive gone on to the router for the main computer but im not sure what to do so i can access? ive found the right password now! but no box is popping up to enter it!! :)
Hi Nathan R - maybe try using another browser? Hollydolly I am not sure what you can do - maybe try reseting the browser?
I've borrowed my sisters laptop for homework and input the password incorrectly several times, I am now locked out of the laptop, its an acet and uses xp. No idea how to fix it. Can someone help me?
Shell - are you referring to the internet password or main password?
I have a problem that I hope someone can help me with. I currently moved my router to another room and now when I set it up it defaulted back to an un-secured network. When I go in and change it to a secured network (I have a Linksys) it gives me limited ocnnectivity and sometimes will not even let me connect. When I change it back to un-secured network it allows me to carry on as usual. What am I doing wrong? What should I do? I was changing it to WEP.
Hi Kim. That sounds like an annoying issue. When you get limited connectivity do you mean you are unable to connect to the internet using your router when the WEP key is on?
Hello,
Yes, very annoying. I can connect to the internet with the router on the un-secured network setting. However, I go in and change it to WEP and enter in a passphrase and then I am unable to connect. Do you know what I might be doing wrong?
CAN SUM ONE HELP!!
i have a belkin access point but its hooked up to a D-link router then to my comcast modem the problem im having is setting up my wep. when i typed in the htt://192.168.1.1 website a D-link website comes up, i got in to it and put in all my info but there is nothing that say wifi it only says internet and network. ive tried clickin on the internet but still nothing on the wifi. ive even tried the htt://192.168.2.1 beause it was belkin but when i tried it says error so i have noo clue what to do should i buy a new one? or is sumthing that can help me?
BrianS 2 years ago
I can't believe how many people don't encrypt their wireless networks, especially in built up areas. There have been many occasions when I could have accessed the Internet on someone else's broadband connection. Could be pretty serious if there was someone interested in doing a little bit of hacking into the PC. Good tips, mine is encrypted by the way and I use a WEP option.