How to Change a D-Link Router Encryption Key

Help secure your router with a new encryption key.

Old passwords make for poor security. The same is true of encryption keys. Over time, passwords and encryption keys are written down and sometimes shared. Eventually, they become open secrets, making your network easy to access by people who might no longer be welcome to use available network resources. Changing the encryption key on a D-Link router is simple and takes only a few minutes. After the key is changed, all legitimate users will need to update their network devices to retain access.

Instructions

1. Open a browser. Enter "192.168.1.1" in the browser's address bar (the default router address for D-Link routers), and press "Enter." Enter the user name and password to log in to the D-Link router.

2. Click the "Wireless Network" tab on the initial setup page to gain access to the wireless security section.

3. Select "WEP, WPA or WPA2" from the drop-down menu in the "Wireless Security Mode" section. Leave this setting as it is if you are changing only the key and not the encryption mode.

4. Delete the existing key, and enter a new pass phrase or key.

5. Click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the screen.

Tips & Warnings

• The D-Link router will generate a hexadecimal encryption key when a pass phrase is entered. Keep a copy of the new encryption key for future reference because the key, not the pass phrase, must be used to connect wireless devices to the network.

• Higher bit settings, 128 bits as opposed to 64 bits, are more secure but take more time to decipher and can slow network traffic.

References

• D-Link Support: Router Setup Emulator