Disabling WPS - Here’s Why It May Not Be Urgent

In this video, I discuss the security concerns associated with WPS. I also detail how to disable WPS on a router.

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The router used in this video (TP Link Archer A7): https://amzn.to/4a05PFR

0:00 Introduction
0:44 Review of WPS and how it works
2:30 Security concerns related to WPS
7:33 How to disable WPS on a router
11:35 Summary and conclusion

What are the security concerns of WPS?
Most security resources suggest that a router’s WPS functionality should be disabled. This is due to the fact that WPS allows wireless devices to connect to a given router’s WiFi networks without the use of a password. This presents risk to the environment in the event that a malicious user adds devices to the WiFi network that are not authorized to be using them.

Therefore, if a malicious user were to have access to a router with WPS functionality enabled, they could press the WPS button on the router to activate the router’s pairing sequence. Once the pairing sequence has been activated, the user would be able to connect any device he or she chooses to the WiFi network. This provides the malicious user with opportunities to perform additional malicious actions from the WiFi network.

With that being said, if the router is located in an area where physical access to the router is restricted to only those who should have access to it (e.g. in a home), the security risks associated with WPS can be greatly reduced.

How can WPS be disabled?
WPS can be disabled in a router’s settings. Once a user logs in to their router’s settings, the WPS settings are usually found in the Advanced Settings section.

The Advanced Settings section usually allows the user to select “disable” for the WPS functionality of the router.

Depending upon the make and model of your router, the WPS settings may be found in a different location of the router’s settings interface.

Conclusion
If you have any questions about the security implications of WPS or how to disable it on your router, please leave a comment below.