How to Find WPA Key

WPA is an abbreviation of Wi-Fi protected access. It is a standard encryption protocol in use, to maintain security of wireless computer networks. A WPA key is used to encrypt/decrypt data, such as your password for a bank account, that is transmitted on the wireless network. WPA key (network security key) makes it a bit harder for any individual to monitor your data transmission and lay his hand on your sensitive information. You must be wondering, why anyone would do such a horrid thing. Well, what if the pirate wants to download material that is protected by the copyright laws or perpetrate some kind of cyber crime using your computer. The chances are that the pirate, in question, only wants to download freely available stuff from the internet such as songs or movies, at your expense. You, on your part, should know about the WPA key so that you can check a pirate in his track before it is too late.

Where to Find WPA Key?

Where to find WPA key? It is located in router or the modem your network is using. Well, try the underside of the routers in your network. Search for SSID which gives information about the network name, and WPA key which is also called the encryption key. If you don't find it there, then you can try a few of the ways, detailed below, of finding WPA key for your computer.

Step #1
Make sure your computer is connected to the wireless router with a cable. Launch a web browser by clicking on it or by opening "Run" prompt by pressing "Windows + R" keys. Type "iexplorer" (Internet Explorer), "firefox" or the name of your browser in it.

Step #2
Type the following values one by one in the address bar of the browser, till you get a log-on window, prompting you for a username and a password. These values represents the addresses of the wireless modems or the wireless router. One of these values will enable you to access your wireless routers internal settings.

• http://192.168.0.1
• http://192.168.1.1
• http://10.10.0.2
• http://192.168.2.1
• http://192.168.1.254

Step #3
Note down the address that works for future use. For username enter "admin" and for password try "password" or "admin" and click OK. If this does not work then, in next try, do not enter any value for username and enter "admin" for the password field. If this fails, refer to the router or modem manual.

Step #4
The chances are that the window will appear with the username and the password field completed. Clicking OK button will take you to "Settings" page of your router or modem page. If this does not work, resetting of the modem or the router will be necessary. Do it after referring to the manual and your device will be restored to factory default.

Step #5
After resetting the device, to open the "Settings" follow instructions given in step 2, 3 and 4. Next in settings page open "Wireless" option and to populate required settings click on Wireless link. Click on "Security (Advance)" and under "Network Authentication" select either WPA or WPA2. This is where you can find WPA key. Enter it when the system asks for it.

Step #6
If you had to reset your device, then you will have to assign the key manually. You can do so by selecting any of the WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK or WPA-PSK + WPA2-PSK authentication and by entering a key (8-63 character long). Save and apply changes and reboot modem or router.

Finding the WPA key is a must have knowledge that can be useful in many situations. It will help you supply a WPA key and connect your computer to the internet (wireless) after reinstalling the Windows. This is almost the same as the WPA key for PS3. The above steps will also come handy when a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a gaming device ask you to supply it, when you want to play online games.