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Backup Wireless Networks

Martin Brinkmann — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:59:50 +0000

There are a few things when it comes to wireless networks that are best done by software programs. One of them is to add the very same settings that have been added to one computer system to another computer system. This can be necessary to be able to use the same wireless network settings on all computers or to migrate the settings to a new computer system that has been bought recently to replace the old one. The manual way would mean to enter data like the (usually long and cryptic) pre-shared key and other settings that might confuse some users.

Wireless Migrator, a software program for the Windows operating system, comes to the rescue. The portable software program can be used to backup and restore wireless networks easily. All that needs to be done to backup the wireless settings of a computer system is to execute the program after downloading and unpacking it. It will automatically scan for configured wireless networks and save them to the same directory.

The filename will usually be RestoreWireless.wnb which can be executed on the target computer to install all wireless profiles on that system as well. This will add all wireless networks to that computer system as well without having to setup and configure these manually.

Display all wireless network keys

Martin Brinkmann — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:15:42 +0000

Windows does not store wireless keys in a format that is readable by the human eye which becomes unfortunate when you have lost your key and want to access your wireless router. Without the key it is only possible to reset the router and create new keys which would mean lots of work. If you have router admin access you could change the wireless keys that are configured in the router to new values. But that would mean that you would have to have the right admin password in reach, which many users do not.

Wireless Key View recovers lost WEP and WPA keys in Windows XP or Windows Vista revealing the network, key type, key hex and ascii values. WPA keys are only shown as hex values which could mean that you have to convert them from hex to ascii to be able to use them. You can use any hex to ascii converter, like the one over at centricle.

Once you start the application the table will be automatically filled with all keys found. Those keys can be exported in various formats such as html or text format. Please note that only those keys are revealed that have been created a Windows utility and not a third party software like one provided from your Internet Service Provider or modem / router manufacturer.

Another fantastic app by Nirsoft.

Update: You can copy the contents of a key to the clipboard. And while you may still need to convert it to Ascii to configure another device for wireless access, it saves you from having to change the wireless password in the router which would mean that you would have to change it on all devices that use the router to connect to the Internet.

Cracking WEP and WPA Wireless Networks

Martin Brinkmann — Wed, 24 May 2006 07:35:51 +0000

It´s always good to know how your wireless network could be attacked and secure it accordingly. Cracking WEP and WPA Wireless Networks explains how to use aircrack and kismet to work with WEP encrypted networks as well as static passkey WPA or WPA-PSK.

The first paragraph starts with a little theory on WEP cracking and goes on with setting up your tools, finding the network, capturing IVs, Using IVs to decrypt the key and finally Anticipated Problems. After that the differences between WEP and WPA cracking are explained and the article informs you about different WPA flavours.