Your WIFI password or Key as it is called, is located in the settings of your WIFI Router. Follow these steps if you want to:
(1) set up encryption for your WIFI. In some cases, new routers will not have encryption set up. Telstra Bigpond Routers ship with encryption already setup. Included with the Router will be a Blue Plastic Card showing the WIFI Password.
(2) Change your WIFI Key
(3) View your WIFI Key
(4) Make other changes to your Router.
Step one: Connect a computer to the Router by Ethernet Cable: (these procedures can not be done over the WIFI link)
Step two: On the computer open up the Command Prompt.
Click on Start then on All Programs then on Accessories. In Accessories click on Command Prompt. Another way is to click on Run and type CMD or just type CMD in the Search Field above the Start Button on Windows 7. In Windows 8, just type CMD then click on CMD when the window pops up.
Step three: Once in the command prompt type ipconfig and press enter. A window similar to this will open:
Look in the section "Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection" and take note of the Default Gateway IP Address. In this example the IP address is 192.168.178.1.
That is the IP address of the Router.
Close the Command Prompt by typing Exit.
Step four: Open a Browser and in the address field type in the IP address of the Router and press enter. You will then see a window similar to this one. Yours will be different because each brand of router is slightly different.
Enter the User Name and Password of the router. This password is NOT the same as the WIFI password. It is just an administrator password to allow access to the routers settings. In most cases the user name will be admin and the password will also be admin or just blank.
Here is a list of the common User Names, Passwords and IP address
3Com - 192.168.1.1 - admin - admin
D-Link - 192.168.0.1 - admin - leave blank
Linksys - 192.168.15.1 - admin - admin
Netgear - 192.168.0.1 - admin - password
This Web Page -- has a list of all the routers: http://www.routerpasswords.com
If you can't get past this point, that means someone has changed the password from the default password and you have to reset the router to factory defaults. To reset the router, get a paper clip and insert it in a tiny hole on the rear or side of the router while the router is on. Hold it in for several seconds until the lights start to blink. This will reset all the routers settings, including removing the WIFI password and encryption.
Step Five: Once you get into the routers settings, go to the Wireless section. It will look something like this:
This example is for a Dlink and the password is not visible, just the black dots. In this case it is called a Passphrase and you can change it. Take a look at the settings and make sure you understand them. Turn on the Radio if it is not already on. The SSID is the identification name of your WIFI signal that people see when picking a WIFI to log on to. Put in a unique name.
For security pick WPA-PSK and give it a good key or passphrase. Write it down so you don't forget it.
This is an example of the Linksys router setup page. Here you can actually see the Key (no black dots).
Apply or save the changes and your all finished.
- This page last updated on 2 Sep 2017