When we start fiddling with the router that our company has recently installed for us, we can find a series of physical buttons that each perform a different function. For years now we can find one that manufacturers incorporate in most cases and that brings a series of advantages, as well as disadvantages. We are talking about the WPS Button.
In this article we expose all the information related to this system, which is a standard today, and that It offers us a series of very useful functions when configuring a WiFi network on different devices.
What is WPS?
WPS is an acronym for English “WiFi Protected Setup“Basically it provides us with a series of tools to facilitate our connection to a local wireless network from an external device. Currently it is a standard of the WiFi Alliance, so it is practically a norm that it is included in current routers.
So that we understand each other, with a WPS we have the possibility of connecting to a network without the need to write the password. Before QR codes were incorporated to perform this task, this button was the only way to connect without the tedious task of manually entering our network password.
How does this system work?
Its operation is simple. Basically We will have to press this button so that the network remains enabled and that it can receive external connections without having to enter the password. Once pressed, we go to the device that we want to connect and we can easily enter the network.
This is the basic procedure to use the WPS, although depending on our system and how we have configured it, there are several ways to access through this button:
- Via PIN: After having pressed the button, it will ask us for a pin, easy to remember and that differs from the password of the network itself.
- Via NFC: Once the WPS button is pressed, simply bring a device with integrated NFC closer to the router and it will connect automatically.
- Via USB: From a USB we would share the access credentials from one device to another.
- Through PBC: It is an additional button that we will press on the device that we want to connect at the same time as the WPS button on our router.
Make sure we see the option in the router configuration
To ensure that the WPS system is activated, we will have to visit the configuration website of our router, which we can access through the default gateway. This it is usually the address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Simply enter that address in the bar of our browser.
Once in the configuration interface, we will have to make sure that the WPS option is activated. It is generally enabled by default, although as we are going to explain below, it is a standard that has fallen into disuse.
Why is it better not to use it?
For some time now, manufacturers have been disabling support for this feature on many devices. Although we find the button on the router, Few companies trust this standard anymore. The reason is simple: it can pose a serious danger to our network. Mainly because when we press the WPS button on the router, we are temporarily leaving the network “open”.
It is an additional option that can be used in specific cases, but in general, it should not be used, since it is very susceptible to brute force attacks that can get access to our network.
In the event that we want to connect a mobile device without too many complications, the QR code method works really well and it allows sharing that code to other devices so that any of our family or friends can connect to the network in a comfortable and easy way.