WPA/WEP - Which Do I Have

Guys - I have 2 iPads connected to my Centurylink Westell 7500 modem and I never have had any wifi problems. In initial setup, my iPad detected the network and then asked for a password which I got from the bottom label of the router. What I used said WPA xxxxxxxxxx, mix of upper, lowercase and numbers. Does this mean I have WPA vs WEP connectivity?

May seem like a dumb question but winced I have assumed I had WPA every time I read a post saying WOA is better than WEP, I wanted to make sure my assumption wa correct because I am waiting on an MBP that I ordered.

You can find out for sure by logging onto the router, most allow both WPA and WEP

Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.1.1 or http://10.0.0.1

Both WPA and WEP can use a mix of characters so we can't tell just by the format of the password. An easy way to find out would be to log into your router and check the security settings. If you're using a Mac right now, an even easier way is to option click the WiFi menulet (icon) in the menu bar and see what it has listed for the security of the network.

Agreed with the others. Apple with IOS 5 has blocked any WiFi sniffler Apps for IOS that will show you all that info like iStumbler does on OSX and I see no way in IOS that shows you the encryption.

Log into your router and check the Wireless settings.

Thanks, I was only able to use 10.0.0.1 to log on. I searched thru all the tabs showing including Security. It shows me nothing about WEP or WPA. Did see the SSID number, that's good. Right now I only have my iPad, Mac won't arrive until next week. I was just hoping since I had used the numbers off the west ell label listed beside WPA, it meant I had WPA security.

If the router was preconfigured to use WPA, that's probably what you're using.

Click on the Wireless Tab then on Security under Wireless and it will show you what you are using. There is a clicker there to change from WEP to WPA. Just downloaded the manual.

I have no idea how it was preconfigured tho. I didn't do it, I just use it the way it came. I have been researching info regarding the MBPS that I ordered, never had a Mac before and found that it will less likely have issues with WPA. I guess I can talk to Centurylink but right now all I know is my iPad has worked since last March with 0 wifi issues.

dtravis7 said:

Click on the Wireless Tab then on Security under Wireless and it will show you what you are using. There is a clicker there to change from WEP to WPA. Just downloaded the manual.

Click to expand...

Oh, bless you. How do I award you points? I FOUND it and I do have WPA. There is no option for WPA2 but ill live with that. Thank you so much.

Just glad I could help.

Also note that unless you're sure the password stuck to the bottom of the modem/router is unique, you should probably change it to something unique to you.

cwa107 said:

Also note that unless you're sure the password stuck to the bottom of the modem/router is unique, you should probably change it to something unique to you.

Click to expand...

I almost suggested that earlier but did not want to overwhelm the OP. Chances are what is written on the bottom is the default password. The default passwords for most routers can be easily found on the Internet.

+1 to what Sly stated.

When Verizon redid my FIOS system and installed their latest "state of the art" Actiontech router, the tech insisted I use the default password pasted on the bottom of the modem. I humored him while he was here doing the work, but as soon as he left I put 1Password to work. Makes me wonder how many Verizon routers have the same password pasted on their base.

Never use the password on the label. It's never really a secure one anyway and someone can look at the label! Make up a complex Hexadecimal one.

chscag said:

Makes me wonder how many Verizon routers have the same password pasted on their base.

Click to expand...

And how many stick with it. After all, people (even professionals) are lazy when it comes to passwords.

Oh no, and you're right I would have never thought of changing my password. So to do that I just change it on the screen showing it [in the router browser I logged into]? And then on my Ipad i would need to change it neext time I try to join network?

My MBP is supposed to be delivered Friday!!

Once you change it on the router, any device associated with that network will prompt you to re-enter it. And yes, you change it in the router settings.

You change the WiFi Key right in the menu I showed you yesterday where you could select WEP or WPA. That security tab under the Wireless tab.