What is Wi-Fi Protected Setup & how to use it to connect?

Most of the routers come with a special feature that allows any device with Wi-Fi to connect with a password. Its called WPS or Wi-Fi Protected Setup standard. While the support for WPS has been removed in Android, was never there on Apple devices, Windows 10 OS still supports it. In this post, we will share about Wi-FI Protected Setup, and how you can use it to connect.

What is Wi-Fi Protected Setup or WPS

While you can connect to any router using a password, it means sharing the password. If you do not want to share the password,  WPS is the way to go. Technically, it is a network security standard created by Wi-Fi Alliance. It allows the routers to open up temporary to devices who request connection through WPS. Once the device connects, the arrangement is permanent. During the process, the Router generates a unique password, which is different from the router password. The device will automatically use the same password every time it connects to the network.

Pros:

• More comfortable to connect as you don't need to share the password of the Router
• The password used in the WPS is different from the router password

Cons:

• Not all devices support WPS
• Vulnerable to brute attack

Note: This feature is available on all the routers now, and with a push of a button, devices can join the Wi-Fi network. Only if the Router is using the security protocols WPA Personal or WPA2, WPS can be enabled.

Which operating systems provide support for WPS, and which don't?

Windows 10 still supports WPS, but  Android and Apple's iPhone and macOS even don't recommend it because of the security flaws.

How to use WPS to connect devices to Router

Activate WPS on Router

1. Configure password-protected Wi-Fi using WPA Personal or WPA2
2. Depending on the router configuration, enable WPS on the Router
3. There can be multiple ays to activate WPS
   • A button on the back or top of the Router
   • Routers from Unifi allows you to activate by a long press on display.
   • Software button available in the router admin interface.
4. Once activated, you should notice a blinking LED on the Router or some way to signify that the computer can make a connection.
5. The Router is now ready to accept a request.

How to secure and protect your WiFi Router

Connect to WPS from Windows 10

1. Click on the globe icon on the system tray
2. Look for the WIFI network for which the WPS has been activated
3. Click on it network you want to connect through WPS
4. Notice that instead of asking for a password it will automatically connect
5. If you connect to the network before WPS is enabled, the text box will automatically disappear as soon as WPS is enabled.

Lastly, even if you find out the Wi-Fi password used to connect with the WPS, it will not work on other devices. It is strictly bonded to the device.

I hope the post was easy to follow, and not only you understand WPS, but you are also able to connect your Windows 10 device to the Router over WPS.