The acronym WPS refers to Wi-Fi Protected Setup , a 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 like having seen it in a little button on your router . This is because with this same you can make use of this great resource that the Wi-Fi Alliance created for users who connect to networks.
Anyway, in these lines we will 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.
Index:
What is it, how does it work and what is the WPS button of your router?
We are going to explain to you what this little button we were talking about, although, we want you to know, first, the basis of its operation, that is, what you do, without you 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 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 allow the connection of wireless devices, using PSK and SSID credentials , to the network.
The objective of this resource is that the user intervenes as little as possible in the configuration of his system and his options of connection to the network. This results in greater comfort and, of course, a lower possibility of errors, inaccuracies and vulnerabilities .
Its architecture includes three points:
- Enrollment . It is the device that generates and revokes network connection credentials.
- Registered . It will be the device that will make the credential request, that is, the one we want to contact.
- Authenticator . This is the access point that acts as a proxy between the enroller and the enrolled.
Credential exchange occurs in four different ways, namely:
- PIN . Every aspect (in this case, the devices you want to connect) that is associated with your network will require a PIN. This key must be known by the enroller and the enrollee, obviously. The use of an interface is required to enter this password.
- PBC . The credentials are generated and exchanged from the request by the enrolled by pressing a button on the authenticator and another on your device (or an option). The gap in this method is that in the period of time in which the code is generated by requesting it in the authenticator and what it takes to connect from your device, anyone else can also do it.
- NFC The exchange of credentials is based on an NFC communication. This is based on RDIF (radio frequency identification) and allows wireless connection when the devices are close. Thus, the credential is achieved by placing you near the license plate.
- USB . You need an external storage memory to transfer the credentials of the enroller to the enrolled.
The button
Indeed, you guessed it; The famous WPS button would be the one corresponding to the PBC method that we just mentioned. This is mandatory in all cases where an AP is available or wireless access point, as would be the case with your router.
This is easy to identify, as it is accompanied by these acronyms or two arrows as a “yin-yan”, representing the pairing.
What we get with this button is something as simple as connecting from our different devices to the network that it provides without the need to enter the key . It’s nothing from the other world; It is simply a way we are given to facilitate the process of pairing devices and connecting to the network.
This button (or, rather, its functionality) is not enabled by default . That is, when they do the installation of ADSL or fiber optic in your home, it does not work from the zero minute but must be specifically enabled . This obviously means that you do not activate it by mistake and run the risk that anyone can connect to your network, with everything that would entail.
We have to mention, too, that making use of 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 second it is active, it 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 WPA2 , the distant and archaic, but still in use WEP is not compatible.
Steps to connect to a WiFi network via WPS easy and fast
If you want to use this functionality and be able to connect to your network without having to enter the password, consider these two assumptions.
In both cases, you will have to make sure that your access point has the option enabled. This is as simple as seeing if your light is on or not . If it is, you can continue; if this is not the case, press the button for five seconds to activate the functionality.
The device to pair 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 need to do is:
- Press the WPS button of your router.
- On your device, access the “ Settings “.
- Now go to the « Wi-Fi « zone.
- Activate the option if you have not already done so.
- You will have «Additional settings» or « Advanced settings «. These will be found under the total available networks or in an extra options button (possibly located at the top right; this will depend on the device model 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 pressing the button on your router you will see that this option is not available . This is due to the fact that it is only enabled for a reasonable period of time (two minutes), so that other users cannot access it if they happen to detect credentials from their own devices.
Obviously, and more and more, 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 menu of «Settings» and «Wi-Fi» of each device until you find the option, although the step by step will not differ too much from the one 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 ( WiFi adapters, printers, etc.), what you will have to do is:
- As in the previous case, press the button of your wireless access point .
- Now, press and hold the button for a few seconds device to pair (with six it should be enough in the worst case, although it is usual that with a pair the pairing begins already). This must be done within two minutes after the activation of step 1.
Once a device is detected and paired, there will be no need to do it again for the following connections. Simply pressing the button for a moment your AP will recognize it and grant you the credentials.