We need always a fast WiFi Network to do our important online tasks, but a lock icon shows next to a password-protected WiFi network . The lock icon means that the network is secure and cannot be accessed without the correct password or passphrase.
The most annoying thing is that many times this network is your own or a WiFi you use regularly, but the password has been completely forgotten. WiFi networks are usually secured to prevent bandwidth theft or unauthorized use, especially in public hotspots. However, there are some situations where re-establishing internet access becomes necessary anyway. This news is about what to do in such a situation.
How to recover password of previously connected WiFi
If a device has already been connected to that WiFi network, then its password is often saved in the device’s operating system. If the user has never used the “Forgot Network” option in the WiFi setting, it is possible to recover that password.
In PC Windows, saved WiFi profiles can be viewed by opening the Network and Sharing center or system diagnostics. It is possible to find the password or “key content” from the security settings of the respective network using standard system tools. See more from Microsoft Support.
On macOS, launching Keychain Access and using system utilities can show the passwords of previously connected networks—although you still need to know the network name. The news also mentions that official manufacturer apps can also do the same thing.
More read: TWS devices are vulnerable to cyber attacks
Last option: Reset the router
If there’s no other way to recover your password, resetting your router is the last option. However, this cannot be done remotely—you’ll have to go to the router directly. It is recommended to carefully check the reset sticker on the router before resetting it. Sometimes, the Internet service provider writes the default WiFi name and password on the router.
Almost all routers have a small reset button that, when pressed with a pen or paperclip for 10 seconds, returns the router to its factory settings. After a reset, you usually have to connect a PC with an Ethernet cable and access the router’s settings through a browser.
These IP address used to access the router is usually
192.168.1.1
192.168.0.1You need to go the router login page and log in with the factory username and password—which in many cases is “admin” and “password.” During setting a new WiFi password after logging into the router, it is recommended to use a password that is both secure and easy to remember and note on a mobile device. Because using overly complex passwords on smartphones can sometimes be a hassle.