If you have ever heard about WPS and some of its benefits, you would want to learn more about this network. When you choose to use WPS, there will be many benefits that come along, but at the same time, there will be some disadvantages. So, what is WPS?
To answer these questions, keep reading this article. We will give you the essential information about this network, as long as its pros and cons. Moreover, you will be able to enable the WPS network using different routers, also. Stay tuned!
What Is WPS on Router? Basic Information
If you have not used the WPS network yet, it is advisable to understand what WPS is where to find it right on your router.
What is WPS Button on Router?
What is WPS Button? WPS is a wireless network security that stands for “Wifi Protected Setup.” It is made to connect wireless devices with a router in a faster and easier way.
If you use a modern router, then you can quickly connect your device with a WPS connection without inserting any passphrase or key. WPS saves you so much time on connecting to the Internet. Moreover, this network does not require you to reconnect to it the next time you use it.
You need to know about WPS because it only works for those wireless networks with passwords that are encrypted with WPA2 Personal or WPA Personal security protocols. If your wireless network uses WEP security, then WPS will not work.
Nowadays, most routers will have WPS support. In this case, WPS can be used by pressing the WPS button on the router, enabling through your firmware, or enabling by default.
Where to Find WPS Button on Router?
The first thing you should know is that not all routers have a WPS button for you to press. But almost all modem routers have this button. If your router has a WPS button, your connecting process will be super fast and easy compared to those that do not have the button.
So now, where can we find the button? In most cases, the WPS button is located along the Ethernet port on the back of your router. When you press this button, you can enable the WPS network and use it easily.
For some other router models, the WPS button can be shared with other features or does not have any text to label. Some other routers even have this button on their side or in the font. For this reason, the best way you can figure out where exactly the WPS button is is to check your manual.
In case your router does not have a WPS button, Method 2 in our next section will tell you how to enable it.
See more: How to Troubleshoot Belkin Router Red Light
How Does WPS Work? Two Main Methods to Use WPS
There are many different models of routers. To enable the WPS network and use it successfully, we need to know the methods for different types of routers. Here are the most common methods:
Method 1: Press on the “WPS” Button
This method is for routers that have the WPS button to press. As mentioned above, different routers might have the WPS button in different positions. While most routers have the button separately on the back, the other might have the button on the front or the side. So, the first thing you need to do is figure out where the button is.
When you already successfully spot the WPS button, press on the button of “WPS” to allow other devices to discover the connection on your router. After that, select the WPS network from the device you want to use, and wait for a few seconds until they connect.
One of the most convenient facts about this connection is that your device will automatically connect to the WPS wireless even without requiring you to insert any password. Next time you use the network, your device will remember the connection and allow you to use it without any further action.
Method 2: Find the WPS’s Eight-Digit PIN
This second method is for WPS that does not have a button to press. Even though many devices do not have a WPS button, they still support it. To use the WPS network in this situation, you will need to enter a code with eight digits.
To find this code, you have to go to the configuration page and check it. Remember that this code was created automatically, and you cannot change it later on.
What Can WPS Do for Me? WPS’s Benefits
While using regular Wifi, it is quite easy for other people to guess and use our Internet. This problem is not comfortable because when people use our connection, it will be weaker and affect us.
For WPS, you do not have to worry about this problem because the passphrase and security key will be generated randomly.
With WPS, your network credential and information will be exchanged thanks to the EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) securely. The EAP is one of the WPA2’s authentication protocols.
When you choose to use WPS, you will not have to know the security key or the SSIS (network name) to connect your device with it.
Read more: How to Get to Router Settings
Is WPS Secure?
WPS can be so convenient to use, but the PIN can be easy to hack for some hackers.
The reason for this is that when you choose to use WPS, the wireless router will automatically create a PIN with eight digits, no matter if you use it or not. According to some research, the PIN of WPS is quite easy to be revealed because of brute force attacks.
For your security, do not knit your crypto or use a WPS network with a Wifi router.
Conclusion
What is WPS? With the information in this blog, we hope you understand the definition and functions of this network and know how to use it. If you have not used WPS, we suggest you learn about both benefits and disadvantages of it to decide whether it is right for you.
