Wireless Key Generator

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on January 31, 2011

It's not just a bad pun to say that the "key" step in configuring a Wi-Fi network is protecting it with an encryption key that must be entered into each compatible device. Wireless Key Generator is a free tool that generates strong wireless encryption keys and saves them to a text file that you can store on a USB drive or other portable device and use to secure your home or office network.

The program's compact, dialog-based interface has two drop-down menus: Security Type, with two choices, WEP and the stronger WPA/WPA2; and Key Strength, with three choices in WPA/WPA2: 64-bit, 8-character; 160-bit, 20-character; and 504-bit, 63-character keys. The maximum key strength in WEP is pretty good, too--256 bits and 58 characters--but WEP isn't recommended for nonlegacy installations. Buttons labeled Copy, Save, and Generate key the program's functions. Other than an About button with a link to the developer, Bench Software, that's all there is to Wireless Key Generator, but that's all it needs; this program requires no instructions to operate. We selected WPA/WPA2 and 504 bits and pressed Generate. Wireless Key Generator instantly displayed a 63-character alphanumeric code in the Key field. We saved the key to a text file, then copied and pasted it from the Clipboard into a Word document. The program's done its work at that point; it's up to the network admin (you, probably) to use the key it creates to configure your PCs, routers, and other network devices.

Wireless Key Generator is extremely easy to use yet creates strong encryption keys. It won't be the weak link in your Wi-Fi chain. Just don't lose your keys!