How to find network security key?

Network security key is important because it keeps outsiders away from your network. You cannot access the wireless network without the key. As a result, it is important to maintain a high level of network security. A network security key enables a secure connection to be established between the network and the user requesting access. In this article we will get the opportunity to know what is a network security key? How to find network security key?etc.

A network security key is a password or digital signature that is entered to gain access to a wireless network as permission. Wireless network password is another name for network security key. The device we use to connect to the wireless network has a password, we all use it to connect to the wireless network. Every access point or router has a default network security key that prevents anyone from illegally connecting to your network device. To get the complete information read the entire article.

What is a Network Security Key?

A network security key is a type of network password or digital signature or biometric data used to identify an authentic individual. It is used to grant authorization and access to the wireless network or device to which the client requests to connect.

The security key also provides for establishing a secure connection between the requesting client and the service providing network or wireless device such as a router etc. These protect our networks and devices from unwanted access.

Technology not only provides us facilities but also provides security, due to security key our life is becoming more simple and we are relying more on technology. Security keys are of different types which are widely used in every day banking services like online banking, money transactions like OTP, online shopping, using internet service, login to mail account or in any other way.

In simple words it can be said that network security key is a very important part of daily operations like financial transactions, online business and personal banking, OTP, online portal, corporate account login etc. As I have said earlier that security key has made our life very simple and secure.

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Why need Network Security Key?

The internet world means nothing without security keys. The existence and trust of the Internet depends on security keys. In any work done through the Internet, the stronger its security key is, the more reliable and secure it is considered and the more users connect with it.

Network security keys provide a secure environment to conduct financial transactions and other important activities.

Network security keys provide the protection to the entire network system from illegal access.

Network security keys help keep data secure. It prevents from any types of threats from entering and affecting the system and the entire network of systems.

A network security key ensures that only authorized and permitted users can access the network or system.

Network security keys take care of the authentication and authorization controls given to network resources. Thus, the data is kept secure even from internal resources to maintain the usefulness and integrity of the data.

Types of Network Security Keys

Network security keys used for authorization in wireless networks are generally of three types-

1. WPA

2. WPA2

3. WEP

1. WPA

Authentication and encryption are the two major functions of a WPA network security key. The WPA network security key allows encryption of user information and data. WPA also helps ensure additional security by checking whether the network security key has been modified.

It also provide the facilities to the network owner to decide which users to allow entry by verifying the users. WPAs are also user-friendly because they can work with almost all types of wireless network adapters.

2. WPA2

Of all the network security key types, WPA 2 is by far the most secure because it uses AES encryption. It encrypts your internet data to keep it safe from hackers or ill-wishers. There are rarely any vulnerabilities found in WPA 2 for personal Wi-Fi and home users. More or less vulnerabilities may still exist at the enterprise level. A sophisticated string of random numbers and letters will protect your network once deployed.

3. WEP 

WEP is an old technology that was used for wireless security and is still used, but now the use of the WEP is not considered safe because it is easy to crack and complex to configure, so you may be putting yourself at risk if you use it.

WEP uses a 40-bit key for encryption of data packets. This key is combined with a 24-bit IV (initialization vector) to form an RC4 key. This 40-bit IV and 24-bit IV form a 64-bit WEP key.

There are two types of authentication methods namely open system and shared key authentication.

In the open system authentication method, the requesting client host does not require credentials at the access point for authentication because any client can attempt to connect to the network. Here, the WEP key is used only for the encryption process.

WEP was replaced by WPA. Despite the fact that it is a more developed protocol with more capabilities, WPA is still insecure and vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Where is your network security key?

You can check this if you access internet through a router. You can print the password on a small sticker somewhere for your convenience. If the password is not displayed on the router, check the package or the documents attached with it for properly.

You should not share the password with anyone else. If for some reason you want to share the password, you should print the password and stick it on a paper on the router or at a designated place. However, it is very common to make the router inaccessible to other people. It is kept away but should not be in such a place that a special guest has to search under the sofa.

If your computer is connected to a wireless network, the network key will be stored. This enables it to connect instantly as soon as it comes in range, as well as allowing you to access information through your smartphone.

On Windows, how to find a network security key?

If your Windows device is connected to a wireless network, you can find the network security key very quickly in Windows 10 Self-Service. Follow the instructions given below-

1. Right-click on the Start menu to pop up the context menu (a context menu will appear)

2. Go to Network Connections and click on it.

3. Scroll down and select Network and Sharing Centre from the drop-down menu.

4. Select your wireless network by clicking on it (starting with Wi-Fi)

5. Select Wireless Properties from the drop-down menu.

6. Select Security from the drop-down menu. You will see that here your password is hidden.

7. If you tick the Show Characters option your network security key will be revealed.

On Android and iPhone, how to find a network security key?

On Android phones, finding the network key is very easy, it just takes a few seconds. However, one thing to keep in mind is that these instructions may vary greatly depending on the brand you are using.

1. To access Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.

2. Select your current network by CLICK on it.

3. You have to scan the QR code to see Wi-Fi password.

Find Network Security Key on iPhone

1. Go to Wi-Fi in the Settings menu.

2. Next to your network, Click on the I icon.

3. Copy your router's IP address and paste it into your browser.

4. To view the password, enter the login credentials for your router.

On Mac, find your wireless password

You can easily find the key on Mac also, for this you have to follow the steps given below.

1. Select the search icon (magnifying glass)

2. Search for Key chain Access on the Internet.

3. In the Key chain Access page, look for your Wi-Fi network in the upper right corner.

4. Select your network by double-clicking on it.

5. Check the box Show password.

6. You will need to enter your Mac's password.

Mismatch in network security keys

If you get a network security key mismatch error when trying to connect to a wireless network, the key/password you are using is incorrect. So be sure and use network security keys carefully before trying. Along with this, there are some main reasons due to which you may get mismatch error-

Wrong Password

The most common reason is that you typed the wrong password. Make sure the password is correct and make sure it is case sensitive. First, write down the password in Notepad or Word and save it so you can see what you're typing. Then paste it in place of the wireless network password.

Incompatible devices

The new WPA2 network passwords are not supported by some older devices. As a result, even though you are able to see the network, your device cannot connect to it because it does not support the same network security key protocol.

Hanging router or access point

A router or access point will sometimes simply hang. A quick reboot of the router (pulling the plug) may resolve the problem.

Are passwords and network security keys the same?

People often think that network security key and password are the same terms but this is one of the most common doubts. In general, both are different terminologies specifying the same thing. But network security keys are usually stored on the network router or modem etc.

This is a more network-oriented password. On the other hand, passwords are used in mobile devices, account login etc. However, most Wi-Fi networks also ask for a password. So basically, the terms 'password' and 'network security key' are used together and their usage depends on the manufacturer of the device and its type.

What threats do network security keys protect against?

As already mentioned, network security keys help protect the entire network and stored data from unauthorized access. Apart from all these there are also cyber threats which can be prevented by using network security keys:

Close-range Wi-Fi connectivity

It is common to see neighbors connecting to each other's Wi-Fi networks unauthorized. This becomes possible in cases when Wi-Fi networks are unsecured or have weak security passwords. Sometimes, it may be possible that a neighbor may access and misuse the information available in your network system.

Your wireless network could also potentially be attacked by a neighbor. Also, the chances of stopping it also reduce as it is not possible to track who has logged into your Wi-Fi network. Therefore, network security keys prove beneficial in these circumstances.

Targeted Network Attacks

Targeted network attacks are also known as 'warddriving'. This simply means shortlisting the weakest security Wi-Fi networks available in the nearby area, targeting them and attacking the network system.

Warddriving is done with the sole purpose of attacking the target's network system and compromising the information and data available on the systems of other users connected to the same network.

Evil Twins Attack

Evil Twin Attack refers to attacks where a hacker impersonates a legitimate network to trick users into trusting and logging into the network system.

For example- a hacker can pretend as a shopping mall's Wi-Fi network, in which shoppers entering the mall will take it as the shopping mall's Wi-Fi network and log into it. These users can now become victims of cyber attacks and their data can be compromised.

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Conclusion

We sincerely hope that after reading this article you would have understood well what 'Network Security Key' is and why it is important. Through this blog urges its readers to use network security keys and avail their benefits.