What is my 'Network Key'?

tcall

I've set up my wireless connection using a Netgear router and have been looking through the threads on here about security, as obviously I want to make sure it is secure. I don't ever remember setting a 'Network Key', but in the Wireless Connection Properties, it says Network Key ********.
I do remember setting a WPA-PSK passphrase, but it was 9 digits, whereas this 'Network Key' appears to be 8 digits.

What is a Network Key, and how do I find out what it is set as?

Chippy_Minton

Network key and WPA-PSK pass phrase are the same thing. The 8 blobs/asterisks are to disguise the length of the key as well as the characters in it.

tcall

Thanks!
I take it I need to really change this to a long random password?

Chippy_Minton

Yes, get a random password from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

albertross_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_key.html

or copy and paste it from the router http://192.168.0.1

tcall

errmm.....In real trouble now!
Opened up the router page, typed in login and password.
Clicked 'Set Password'.
Entered old login and password.
Copied and pasted a 63 digit alpha-numeric password from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm
Now I can't login to the router at all!
Tried the old password. Tried the new one. Just won't work!

Money_Saver

tcall wrote:

errmm.....In real trouble now!
Opened up the router page, typed in login and password.
Clicked 'Set Password'.
Entered old login and password.
Copied and pasted a 63 digit alpha-numeric password from https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm
Now I can't login to the router at all!
Tried the old password. Tried the new one. Just won't work!

Sounds like you need to reset the router back to default and you'll have to re-enter all your ISP details etc etc your username and your bb password. There is a little hole in the back of the router which a pin head will fit into or paperclip, press and hold this in for 10 secs or more. Then follow albertross threads...step by step.. Network key you set it up yourself use 63 charaters for better encryption.

tcall

tbh I am REALLY loath to resetting the router. It has been a !!!!!! to set up in the first place, with one thing after another. And now this problem, caused by simply changing a password!
I have no idea why it is actually working at all, seeing as one minute it wasn't working, and next minute it was (with me making no changes). I just am at the point where I think if I reset, I won't be so lucky this time and it just will not work.

How secure would you say I am at the moment?
My router password is god knows... but not the default.
WPA passphrase is 9 digits (not a dictionary word).
SSID is broadcasting.

albertross_2

have you pasted the 63 character key into the set router password screen, or the wpa key screen?

It's worth doing properly btw, should only take 5-10 minutes, and when you've done it use the backup settings option, to save all the config to a file.

tcall

I pasted it into the set router password screen. Didnt get as far as doing the WPA key:(
No idea what the problem is because I pasted the password from clipboard each time, so it's definitely not wrong.

albertross_2

you don't need to set a 63 character password on the router (a simple one will do). The 63 character password is just for wpa. The only way the router config password can be bypassed remotely is if you allow remote admistration.

There may be a limit on the password length for the router, or if there are any quotation marks or spaces in it, than can cause problems