How to Find a Router's WEP Key

The acronym WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. It is a deprecated algorithm, which is used in wireless networking to secure IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. The messages on wireless networks are susceptible to eavesdropping, as they are broadcasted using radio waves.

WEP key is a security code used on Wi-Fi networks. Using the key, a group of devices on a local network can exchange encoded messages with each other, while the contents of the messages are hidden from outsiders.

• The first step is to connect your computer to one of the ports present at the back of your router, using an ethernet cable.
• Open any web browser and type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. This will work for Linksys routers. Every different router brand has a default IP.

If you have a router from any other manufacturer, refer the manual for this IP address and type it in the browser. The other option is to search for your router model on Google and find the default IP. The IP opens the router setup page.

• Now there will be a screen which will prompt you for an admin user name and password. The default username for a number of routers is 'admin' and the password is either 'admin' or 'password'. For some routers, you can leave the user name blank and type in 'admin' as the default password. These user names and passwords will work only if you have not set it to something else previously.

• Now you will come across the set up screen for your router. On this screen, you will see the 'Wireless' tab. Click on that tab and then on the 'Wireless Security' tab.
• Once you open that tab, you will see your WEP key listed. Usually there a number of these keys enlisted there.
• Use the first key in the list. This key will be a combination of numbers and letters.

If you are still facing a problem in finding the key, you will have to check the router manufacturer's website to find the exact procedure required for the particular router.