How To Find A Network Security Key? (5 Methods)

Security towards home internet is essential to keep sharing and transferring of information private and secured.

That is why it is important to protect your network. You may have heard of the term “password” or “network security key” when you set up your wireless router or need to connect a new device to your network.

This network security key protects your wireless network. It also prevents bleachers or theft-intentioned people from stealing information using your network and creates a protection against data security.

Network Security Key Explained

Simply, Network Security Key (NSK) is your Wi-Fi password or internet password that is asked when you connect your device with the internet.

There are many ISPs or manufactures of internet networking that use different phrases to refer the network security key:

• password,
• network or Wi-Fi key,
• network password,
• wireless password,
• Wi-Fi password, and
• WEP or WPA key

All these terms point to one thing – Network security keys that are classified into various types based on network encryption.

Continue reading to learn the types of network security keys.

Types Of Network Security Keys

WPA 3 – Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 is the latest iteration to internet security. The technology comes with robust encryption and ease of setting up devices.

WPA 2 – Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 is the successor of the new network security key. It functions to encrypt your internet data to prevent unauthorized access.

WPA – The implementation of WPA was first recognised in 2003 helping internet users to access the internet with password-protected encryption features.

WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy is an outdated wireless security protocol but still being used in some cases. However, it is hard to configure and easy to break.

5 Methods To Find Your Network Security Key

If you ask us where I am able to find my network security key – you can look at the following methods to find your network security key easily.

1. On a router/modem

So, where to find the network security key on the router? A network security key can be easily found on any brand’s router or modem.

To find it, look at the bottom or back of your router. It is highlighted with the term ‘Wireless Security Key: Password’ near the barcode.

Remember, if the default network security key has been changed, you will need to find it on the device that is connected to that particular router’s internet.

2. On iOS

If you use iPhone or iPad, here’s how to check your network security key on iOS:

• Go to “Settings” and tap on “Wi-Fi.”
• Tap the “i” icon next to your network.
• Click on the password section.

Provide hardware authentication i.e. Face ID or Touch ID to see the password in plaintext.

3. On Android

It is also easy to find and share network security keys to connect devices instantly. You can use QR code to share your network details including password.

Scanning QR code shares your network details including network security key automatically.

• Go to “Settings” and tap on “Connections.”
• Click on Wi-Fi to open its setting.
• Connect to the network from the available list.
• Go to the settings of your connected network.
• Tap on “Share” button
• You will see the password written above the QR code.

4. On Windows 10 and 11

You can also find your network security key on desktop running with Windows 10 or 11. Just follow the mentioned steps to know how.

• Go to the Windows Settings menu. To do so, right click on the Windows icon and select settings.
• Select “Network & Internet” option.
• Click on the “Change adapter settings” option under Advanced network settings.
• Right click on Wi-Fi hardware and select Status.
• Open “Wireless properties”
• Switch to “Security Tab” and click on mark “Show characters” and your network security key will appear.

5. On macOS

macOS users can also check for network security keys using the following steps.

• Open the search function.
• Search “Keychain Access.”
• Inside the interface, search for your Wi-Fi network.
• Click on the network you want to see the password.
• Click on “Show password” to see the network security key.
• Enter your computer password to confirm your access.

That’s five different methods to check for network security keys on different devices such as Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and the Wi-Fi Router itself.

Final Thought

It is important to keep your network secured. A password or network security key is the best protection to keep your network safe and effective in use.

Here’s what else you can do to strengthen your network’s security:

👉 Change default passwords
👉 Create a separate guest network
👉 Set up a virtual private network

All these tactics ensure safety and security to your network that you use in your home.

That’s all in this blog. Share with your friends and colleagues 🙂

Network Security Key FAQs