WPS on a router: how to connect and disable

Author of the article

Andrey Korzh

System administrator, software and network technology optimization specialist

Most of the latest router models that are equipped with Wi-Fi have WPS mode. Why do you need a WPS button on a router, how to use it correctly - we’ll talk about this later.

WPS on the router: what is this mode, what does the button mean?

Not every user knows what the WPS button on network equipment is. This abbreviation stands for “Wi-Fi Protected Setup”. Manufacturers equip their devices with this function to simplify connecting Internet devices to a dacha in the Dmitrovsky district. All modern routers support Internet technology. Its key advantage is that the user does not need to enter a key on the laptop to connect to a network device.

The option becomes especially relevant if the user cannot remember the Wi-Fi password. Today we will talk in detail about the WPS button on the router. You will learn about the functioning of this technology and be able to use it on your device.

Summarizing

You can often come across the opinion that connecting using WPS technology is extremely dangerous and its use is strictly not recommended.

In reality this is not entirely true. Fast connection has a number of advantages. And you will only have to worry about security if you disable authentication and do not require connecting devices to enter a password or PIN code.

For home use it's even easier. After all, WPS can be configured so that connection becomes possible only when you press a button. In other words, no one else without physical access to the router will be able to connect to your network. But for an office or room where the router is publicly accessible to many people, it is better to use a connection using a password.

As for hacking, 2 methods are usually used:

PIN code selection. That is, the connection is made by selecting random combinations. The PIN code is a combination of numbers only, due to which the list of possible options is noticeably reduced. There are programs that automatically select combinations. On average, this can take them from several hours to several days.
Database. They are usually publicly available or offered to users for a small fee. These are sets of standard PIN codes provided by manufacturers of various routers. Most often, users, having activated WPS, do not consider it necessary to change the standard pin, which is why the likelihood of hacking increases significantly.

To control the access of everyone who connects to your wireless network, you don't need to use WPS. Just turn it off.

It is also worth noting that modern routers have begun to use PIN codes, which include not only numbers, but also letters. Due to this, the level of security was significantly increased.

That's all. Thank you all for your attention! Subscribe, leave comments, ask relevant questions and tell your friends about us!

WPS on a router - what is it?

The VPS button on the router is a very convenient and functional solution. To create a wireless Internet network in Serebryanye Prudy, Moscow region, we need to configure the router’s access point, and then organize the connection of the gadget. To start using the network, you will need to enter a key. Without knowing the password, it is impossible to connect the gadget to Wi-Fi. A special button on the router greatly simplifies this procedure.

The controller generates an access key automatically. It transmits this security code to the gadget that makes the connection using VPS technology. Thanks to this convenient option, the user does not need to independently search for an available network and enter a password. The protocol is supported by Windows operating systems and most mobile devices running Android.

If your device does not have a built-in WPS function, you can download and install the appropriate driver for it. It will expand the functionality of the system.

The VPS protocol is built into popular models of network devices:

TP-Link;
MikroTik;
Asus;
Huawei;
Xiaomi;
Keenetic;
D-Link.

Hacking by PIN

Typically, all hacked programs work in two ways:

The usual search for PIN codes is in progress. PINs are in digital form, which reduces the number of searches. For example, on my Keenetic Omni II PIN consists of 8 digits. So the selection will require 99,999,999 search options. Programs that do hacking do it in a few days.
The second option is much simpler. There are many databases of standard PIN codes on the Internet. An ordinary user will not change it after setting it up or will forget to turn off WPS altogether, and attackers will be able to hack the network.

ADVICE! In general, for access control purposes, it is better to disable this function altogether if you do not use it.

New models now use digit-symbol passwords, which increases security and makes it almost impossible to crack using brute force methods.

NOTE! The video below does not encourage anyone to hack anything, but simply demonstrates the fact that there is an error in the security of the wireless network.

What does WPS mean on a router?

Connecting via VPS is very simple. Connecting to network equipment in this way can be hardware or software. It all depends on the device that the user wants to connect to the Wi-Fi network. How to connect using hardware? The procedure is completed instantly.

You just need to press special buttons on the router and the connected device. Typically, a special VPS button is located on the back of the router case. Some manufacturers combine 2 functions in one button. For example, RESET and WPS. To reset, the button must be held for more than five seconds. To launch the VPS function, simply click on this button.

The user will be notified by an LED indicator on the panel of the network device that the function is active.

Is it safe

To determine whether the WPS button is safe to use, locate the router. If you are afraid that unauthorized people will connect to the device, run the router settings and disable the function.

It is not recommended to keep the WPS function enabled at all times. It is only useful when you need to connect new devices. After finishing the work, disable the function so that attackers cannot connect to it.

If you often have guests and you want to make it easier for them to access your wireless network, create a separate guest network for them. This will allow them to connect to the network, but your personal data will be safe.

Software connection for a smartphone or tablet computer

The Android system is equipped with the option of pairing devices via VPS technology.

To use it, you need to follow simple instructions:

We activate the wireless network and go to the list of available ones.
Now we need to find the WPS icon. It looks like two rounded arrows.
We enable VPS on the smartphone.
Immediately press the button on the router.

If everything was done correctly, the mobile gadget will instantly be connected to the local network.

WPS button on the router for connecting gadgets on Windows OS

Users can surf the Internet at home via Wi-Fi on their laptop. You need to establish a connection with the router through the VPS function.

Let's consider the algorithm of actions:

In the lower right corner of the desktop, click on the wireless networks icon.
When the list of available networks opens, select your own connection.
Click on “Connect”.
A window will appear in front of you asking you to enter the key.
In order not to enter the code, we press a special button on our router.
We wait until the laptop automatically connects to the router.

If there is a need to disable the protocol on the router, press the button. If the button is missing, go to the settings and disable it through the parameters.

If your router doesn't have a dedicated button

Some models of network devices do not have a button to activate Wi-Fi Protected Setup technology. This means that it is impossible to activate the function using hardware. The user can only connect through the web configurator.

Let's look at the algorithm of actions step by step:

Go to the control panel of the router.
Enter the network address of your device in the address bar.
On the welcome page we go through the authorization procedure in the system.
Now we need to find the WPS or Security category. The name may differ depending on the network device model.
An eight-character code will appear in the window in front of you. It must be entered in the access key field.

After this short procedure, you can safely use the wireless network. Some manufacturers duplicate the key combination on the label. It is attached to the bottom of the router.

Let's consider an alternative way to connect mobile gadgets:

In the list of networks on your mobile phone, you need to select “Login by PIN WPS”. This option is not available on all smartphones.
A PIN code should be displayed in front of you. He needs to be discharged.
In the settings, select the “Add device” option.
Enter the key in the column and click “Add”.

If the information is entered correctly, the gadget will connect to your home network. The technology allows you to connect any devices that are designed to support the protocol.

Disable the function through settings

To deactivate the VPS, you need to click on “Disable” in the appropriate category of the router. Sometimes users do not understand what the flashing VPS indicator means. This device behavior indicates an attempt to connect. This can take up to two minutes. If the indicator does not light up at all, it means the option is disabled. You can enable it using a key or programmatically.

Additional functions

On some routers, the VPS key can be used as a signal transmission on/off switch. For Asus routers, there is a Wrt utility through which you can reprogram the button’s purpose.

Although it's easy to use, WPS is a risky feature. After all, attackers can obtain the password and use it for their own purposes. Then the network will become vulnerable. If you don't use technology at all, it's best to turn it off.

There are a number of routers in which this same technology has a different name - Quick Security Setup. The abbreviated name is QSS.

If the WPS connection fails, check whether the function is enabled on the router. Try installing the connected gadget closer to the network device.

Regardless of which provider you use, Rostelecom, Megafon or MTS, you can enable VPS mode at any time.

Advantages and disadvantages of technology

Main advantages of use:

No need to connect new devices frequently;
No problem entering the password;
You can manage the connection of gadgets.

There is also a small drawback - experts believe that the technology makes the devices vulnerable, and the access code is easy to guess. This can be avoided - if you don't use the feature, just disable it. Therefore, carefully weigh the pros and cons before using the technology. Yes, it’s simple and convenient, but might it be easier to connect the old fashioned way (with entering a password)?