WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setupa standard that appeared in 2007. It is a set of security mechanisms that help us achieve a secure WLAN configuration.
However, the concept may sound familiar to you from having seen it in a little button on your router. This is because with it you can make use of this great resource that the Wi-Fi Alliance created for users who connect to networks.
Be that as it may, in these lines We are going to tell you what both things are, both the standard and the button. Their use and, of course, how to make them work to enjoy a great wireless connection.
What is it, how does it work and what is the WPS button on your router for?
We are going to explain to you what that little button we were talking about is, although we want you to know, first, the basis of its operation, that is, what you do, without your knowing it, when you use it.
The Wi-Fi Protected Setup standard
as we said, Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a standard for security and ease of configuration of WLAN-type networks. This includes several security mechanisms for connection, counting, of course, with the possibility of connecting with the requested and more secure WPA2 system.
If we specify a little more, we see that the standard refers to the Mechanisms that enable the connection of wireless devices, through PSK and SSID credentialsto network.
The objective of this resource is that the user intervenes as little as possible in the configuration your system and your network connection options. With this you get a greater convenience and, of course, a reduced possibility of errors, inaccuracies and vulnerabilities.
Its architecture includes three points:
- enroller. It is the device that generates and revokes the network connection credentials.
- Registered. It will be the device that is going to make the request for credentials, that is, the one we want to connect.
- authenticator. This is the access point that acts as a proxy between the enroller and the enrollee.
The exchange of credentials occurs in four different ways, namely:
- PIN. Each aspect (in this case, the devices you want to connect) that is associated with your network will require a PIN. Said key must be known by the enroller and the enrollee, obviously. The use of an interface is required for the introduction of this password.
- CBP. The credentials are generated and exchanged from the request by the enrollee by pressing a button on the authenticator and another on their device (or an option). The loophole in this method is that in the time it takes to generate the code by requesting it in the authenticator and the time it takes to connect from your device, anyone else can connect too.
- nfc. The exchange of credentials is given through an NFC-type communication. This is based on RDIF (Radio Frequency Identification) and allows wireless connection when the devices are close together. Thus, the credential is obtained by placing yourself close to the enroller.
- USB. You need an external storage memory to transfer the credentials from the enroller to the enrollee.
The button
Indeed, you have guessed it; the famous WPS button would be the one that corresponds to the PBC method that we just mentioned. East It is mandatory in all cases in which an AP is available or wireless access point, such as your router.
This is easy to identify, as it is accompanied by these initials or by two arrows as a “yin-yan”, representing the pairing.
What we get with this button is something as simple as connect from our different devices to the network that it provides us without having to enter the password. It’s nothing from the other world; it is simply a way that is given to us to facilitate the process of pairing the devices and connecting to the network.
This button (or rather its functionality) not enabled by default. That is to say, when they install ADSL or fiber optics in your house, it does not work from scratch but instead you have to specifically enable it. This obviously means that you don’t activate it by mistake and run the risk of anyone being able to connect to your network, with all that this would entail.
We also have to mention that using this button from a wireless router includes a vulnerability.
We talked about the possibility that an attacker can recover the WPS PIN (and the corresponding key for the WPA/WPA2 system) based on brute force attacks. Thus, it is essential that this option remains disabled as long as it is not being used, since every active second is a moment of insecurity for your network and for your information and even your equipment.
In addition, it is necessary to know that for this to work, our network must be protected with WPA or WPA2the distant and archaic, but still in use WEP is not compatible.
Steps to connect to a WiFi network through WPS easy and fast
If you want to make use of this functionality and be able to connect to your network without having to enter the password, consider these two cases.
In both cases, you will have to make sure your access point has the option enabled. This is as simple as seeing whether or not your light is on. If it is, you can continue; if not the case, press the button for five seconds to activate the functionality.
The device to be paired does NOT have a WPS button
Possibly the most common case. If you want to connect to the home network from your smartphone, obviously, you will see that it does not have the Wi-Fi Protected Setup button. In this case, what you have to do is:
- Push the WPS button from your router.
- On your device, access the “Settings“.
- Now go to the area of ”Wifi“.
- Activate the option if you haven’t already.
- You will have “Additional settings” or “advanced settings“. These will be found under the total number of available networks or in an extra options button (possibly located at the top right; this will depend on the model of device you have. In any case, access these settings.
- Here you will find, of course, many more settings related to the wireless connection. One of them will be “WPS button“; click here. If everything went well, synchronization will begin.
If you enter here without having pressed the button on your router, you will see that this option not available. This is because it is only enabled for a reasonable time (two minutes), so that other users cannot access it if they happen to detect the credentials from their own devices.
Obviously, and increasingly, there are other devices that already have this option. A clear example is that of the smart TV. It will be a matter of investigating, in the corresponding “Settings” and “Wi-Fi” menu of each device until you find the option, although the step by step will not differ too much from what we have just seen.
The device to be paired has a WPS button
If the device you want to connect to the network has its own button (power adapters printers, etc.), what you will have to do is:
- Same as in the previous case, press the button on your wireless access point.
- Now, hold down the device button for a few seconds to match (with six should be enough in the worst case, although the usual thing is that with a pair the pairing begins). This must be done within two minutes of activating step 1.
Once a device is detected and paired, there will be no need to do it again for subsequent connections. By simply pressing the button for an instant your AP will recognize it and grant it the credentials.
Facebook Comments
Disqus