How do I hide my router's password? Windows 7 'Starter'__

Anonymous
2010-01-01T23:23:29+00:00

Hi,

We just got a Lenovo S10 Netbook with Win 7 'Starter' version for my daughter and I have a question about configuring the Wifi access.  This is my first exposure to Win 7, so I'll describe things as best I can.

I clicked on the "Internet Access" icon in the tray and up came the list of Wireless Network Connections.  I selected the one for our WPA-PSK encrypted router and cut and pasted my ~30 character 'Network Security Key' (passphrase/password) and, bingo, I was connected to the internet and websurfing just fine.

Here is my question.  How to I permenently hide my router's 'Network Security Key'? 

When I go back to the Wireless Network Connections and right click my router and select 'Properties" and go to the "Security" tab, there is a small check box labelled "Show Characters" that will toggle back and forth between a string of dots and the 'plain text' 'Network Security Key' for anyone to read.  I'm not willing to keep her set up to use our network if anyone with access to her Netbook can look up my router's WPA password. 

I have quite a few devices connected wirelessly to our network, but this is the only one where I can see the password in plain text.  The others only show a string of stars or dots to 'encrypt' the display of the password.

I will appreciate any help and so will the daughter that hopes to keep accessing the internet.

many thanks,  BDT

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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Anonymous
2010-01-02T11:36:17+00:00

AFAIK you can't override that, although I could be wrong about that.

As far as others getting your wireless key from her netbook make sure your daughters account is astandard user account and that she does not have administrator permissions. That way if she tried to see the wireless security properties for your wireless network she can't unless she enters the administrator password. In the example screen shot if I am logged in as a standard user and try to check the Show characters checkbox UAC pops up and requests my administrative user password.

http://cid-25ab668da65c8fbe.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Windows%20images/Showcharacters.png

In all cases make sure the administrative user accounts are password protected with a strong password and access to those is severely restricted.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Why-use-a-standard-user-account-instead-of-an-administrator-account

FWIW I run as a standard user 99% of the time on my Windows 7 laptop. My wife runs as a standard user 100% of the time on her XP Pro desktop. When I setup my PCs I create an administrative user, ie. Root in my case, and the required number of standard users for each machine. All are password protected. Root is only used to install programs, change system stuff, security settings, etc...etc...etc...

MS-MVP Windows Desktop Experience, "When all else fails, read the instructions"

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-01-02T17:20:53+00:00

    And in any case there are quite a few free utilities hanging around the internet that will conveniently show all passwords on a computer...

    If you find my response helpful, please click on the "Vote as Helpful" button!Thank you! My Blog

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-02T17:46:35+00:00

    AFAIK you can't override that, although I could be wrong about that.

    As far as others getting your wireless key from her netbook make sure your daughters account is astandard user account and that she does not have administrator permissions . That way if she tried to see the wireless security properties for your wireless network she can't unless she enters the administrator password. In the example screen shot if I am logged in as a standard user and try to check the Show characters checkbox UAC pops up and requests my administrative user password.

    http://cid-25ab668da65c8fbe.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Windows%20images/Showcharacters.png

    In all cases make sure the administrative user accounts are password protected with a strong password and access to those is severely restricted.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Why-use-a-standard-user-account-instead-of-an-administrator-account

    FWIW I run as a standard user 99% of the time on my Windows 7 laptop. My wife runs as a standard user 100% of the time on her XP Pro desktop. When I setup my PCs I create an administrative user, ie. Root in my case, and the required number of standard users for each machine. All are password protected. Root is only used to install programs, change system stuff, security settings, etc...etc...etc...

    MS-MVP Windows Desktop Experience, "When all else fails, read the instructions"

    Yes, I agree with the advantage of working as a Standard User.  While that reduces the problem, it is not a solution. 

    Win XP handles this issue and the password is not displayed - even in Non-Admin accounts.  In cases like mine, I have a network that I want to keep secure and I don't want anyone, even my daughter with Admin privileges to her Netbook, to have access to my network password.  Win XP, Apple etc. seem to have resolved this issue, I find it hard to believe that WIN 7 leaves this HUGE hole in network security.

    Any other help is greatly appreciated.

    thx

    The point is that as a standard user your daughter will NOT be able to see the network encryption key irregardless of design considerations made by MSFT in Windows 7. Only you as the administrator or anyone else with admin permissions will be able to see it once its been configured.

    Additionally you might also consider using Windows 7 Parental Controls to control when your daughter can use the machine and what she can do with it. That may also ease your risk threshold a bit.

    Good luck...

    MS-MVP Windows Desktop Experience, "When all else fails, read the instructions"

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-02T17:51:13+00:00

    The point is that as a standard user your daughter will NOT be able to see the network encryption key irregardless of design considerations made by MSFT in Windows 7.

    Even if she could, she can't DO anything with it other than connect to the network. I really don't understand the paranoia of the OP....

    If you find my response helpful, please click on the "Vote as Helpful" button!Thank you! My Blog

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-02T17:59:36+00:00

    Why? She can't DO anything with it other than connect to the network. What do you think she can do with the password for the network?

    BTW, if you are thinking that the network password allows people to access the router setup, then you are mistaken.

    If I didn't care who got on my network, I would save a lot of trouble and not bother having encrypted Wifi in the first place.  Once my Wifi password is readable anywhere on something that is not within my control, the security of my network is compromised and I prefer to avoid this.  It seems that this is poorly handled in WIN 7 versus other OSes and other devices. 

    I stopped using a Samsung Katalyst HotSpot cell phone that could call over my wifi for the same reason and it looks like I'll not use the new netbook on the network either.  Sure seems like were moving backwards.

    I'm familiar with password utilities that can reveal the website passwords a system saves, but not the wifi passwords.  I'll take a look at some of these if you can suggest some specific tools.

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