We have all faced this at some point in our lives: needing a fast internet connection, finding a Wi-Fi network with a strong signal listed on our device, but with a lock icon beside the network name. This suggests that security is activated, and you need a password or passphrase to get access. It gets worse when it is your own network or one that you use regularly, but you have forgotten the password. Relatable, right?
There are many reasons people protect their Wi-Fi networks, and the most important is to prevent the usage of bandwidth without paying anything, mainly on public hotspots. However, sometimes you urgently need access. Here we will explore how we can access the locked network, starting with easy approaches to crack the password for previously accessed networks and gradually shifting to how to reset the network. Lastly, we will explore some tools for recovering the codes that get you into the networks that are not accessed yet.
Recover the Passwords on Existing System
The secret is to get Wi-Fi network password you may probably know. However, it will work only if the network was previously accessed on the device. Many phone and computer OSes create a profile for every Wi-Fi network to connect. If you ask the system to forget the network, it will forget the password. Hence, this trick may not work in that case. However, some people still explicitly do that.
In Windows, visit Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Tap on the Start Menu, type ‘cmd’ and the menu will show a Command Prompt, then right-click that entry and select Run as administrator. This will launch the black box full of text with the prompt inside- is the line with a right-facing arrow at the end, maybe like C:\WINDOWS\system32\>. A blinking cursor will show where to type.
A section named User Profiles will appear that are all Wi-Fi networks you have accessed and saved. Choose the network you want to access, highlight it and copy it. Use the prompt (netsh wlan show profile name=”XXXXXXXX” key=clear), but do not forget to replace the XXXX with network name you copied. You need the quotation marks only if the network name has spaces in it.
In the new data that appears, look under Security Settings for the line key Content. The word shown is the Wi-Fi password or key that is missed. Whereas, if you are using macOS, then launch the Spotlight search and type Terminal to get the Mac equal to a command prompt. Type the following command (security find-generic-password -wa XXXXX) and then replace Xs with the network name. For more tips to recover Wi-Fi passwords, you can read find wi-fi password: easy steps.
Reset the Router When There’s No Other Way
You can do it even without being present there, you just need physical access to the router. Before you fully reset the router to the factory settings to get on your own Wi-Fi, first try to log into the router. Then, you can easily reset a forgotten Wi-Fi password or passkey. This is not possible that you forgot the router’s password. Reset the router only if you have access through Wi-Fi or physically, using ethernet cable.
If you have a router from internet service provider, explore the stickers on the unit prior to resetting. Your ISP may have printed the SSID and network security key on the device. Also, you can access the recessed reset button that is present in almost every router. Press it with a pen, hold for 10 seconds and the router will return to factory settings.
After resetting the router, you need the username or password to access the router. Further, do this through a PC attached to the router through ethernet. Resetting the router may kill your Wi-Fi connection for that time. The actuall access is generally done through a web browser. However, many routers and comprehensive mesh systems can now be managed through an application.
Some routers may also have a sticker showing the default Wi-Fi network name and network security password to reconnect to Wi-Fi after resetting the router. The URL to fill into the browser to access the router’s settings generally starts with 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. To finalze which oneto use on a desktop connected to the router through ethernet, open a command prompt and type ipconfig. The other two fields names octets will be different numbers between 0-55. However, the third octet will be between 1 or 0. The final is specific to the systems you are using to log into the router.
In the browser, enter 192.168.x.1, replacing the X with the number appearing on the ipconfig search. The 1 in the final octet should point at the router which is the number-one device on the network.
At this point, the router may prompt to add the username and password. Check the manual or visit Routerpasswords.com that depicts the default username and password. However, some times you may need the model number of the router.
You can quickly find a pattern among router makers of defaulting to ‘admin’ as the username and password. As most individuals are lazy and do not change the default password, try using the option even before resetting the router. After entering the Wi-Fi settings, enable the wireless network and assign strong, yet easy to remember passwords. Keep the password easy enough to type on the mobile device. It is very frustrating to get a smartphone connected to Wi-Fi with some complex passcodes, even if it is the strongest password you have created.
How to Crack the Password of Any Wi-Fi?
And the most-awaited answer is here. Searching for ‘Wi-Fi’ password hack on different engines make take you to a range of links, mostly for software on sites where ads, bots and scams are injected. The same applies to the YouTube videos and TikTok videos that promise you to crack a password just by going to a website on your mobile device. I suggest avoid those programs or visiting those sites.
- To crack WEP, you can install Aircrack-ng which is great when it comes to Wi-Fi security.
- Reaver-WPS can be used for cracking the stronger WPA/WPA2 passwords and passphrases.
