Question

summary Protected Setup (WPS)

Answer 1

The Wifi protected setup (WPS) is a wireless network security standard that tries to make connection between a router and wireless devices in a faster and easier way. WPS works only for wireless networks that use a password that is protected with the Wifi Protected Access Personal (WPA) or Wifi Protected Access2 (WPA2) Personal security protocols. WPS do not work on wireless networks that use the disfavoured Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security, which can be cracked easily by any hacker with basic skills.

In a standard setup, you can’t connect a wireless device to a wireless network until you know the network name (also named Service Set Identifier(SSID)) and its password (also called WPA-PSK key). If you want to connect a device, like your smartphone or a laptop, to your wireless network then on your device, you must first pick the network that you want to connect to and then enter its security password.

What can WPS do?
WPS can sometimes simplify the connection process. Here’s how WPS connections can be performed:

1. First, press the WPS button on your router to turn on the discovery of new devices. Then select the network you want to connect to on your device. The device is automatically connected to the wireless network without entering the network password.
2. Devices like wireless printers or range extenders have their own WPS button that can be used for making quick connections. These devices can be connected to wireless network by pressing the WPS button on the router and then on those devices. There is no need to input any data during this process. WPS automatically sends the network password, and these devices remember it for future use. The devices will be able to connect to the same network in the future without using the WPS button again.
3. A third method involves the use of an eight-digit PIN. All routers with WPS enabled have a PIN code which is generated automatically and it cannot be configured by the users. This PIN can be found on the WPS configuration page on your router. Some devices are without a WPS button but with WPS support they ask for that PIN. If the pin is entered, they authenticate themselves and connect to the wireless network.
4. The last method also involves using an eight-digit PIN. Some devices without a WPS button but with WPS support generate a client PIN. This PIN can be entered in your router’s wireless configuration panels, and then the router will use it to add that device to the network.