How Do I Reset the Password on My WIFI Node?

Factual Questions
1

I have a Netgear WIFI node hooked up to cable internet, and I’m accessing it vía an older MacBook running OS 10.4.11. I long ago forgot the password, and I want to access WIFI at home vía my smartphone. How can I view and/or reset the password?

2

You mean a router? Try going to 192.168.1.1 (or possibly 192.168.0.1 or it could be a couple other things, but I think Netgears are all one of those two). You should get a login page. If you never changed the default password for the router, try the following:

admin
password

admin
admin

admin
[leave this field blank]

admin
1234

And see if any of those will let you in. Once you get there, there should be wireless security settings that will give you the WiFi password. Let us know if any of those work.

3

Oh, and here’s a page with an actual reset to default instructions.

ETA: I should add, you can find your router’s IP address by opening up a Terminal, then type, say “traceroute 4.2.2.2” and see what the first hop is.

4

Oh, just thought of one more thing. I assume you’re accessing the Wifi on your MacBook? Go to Spotlight and search for “Keychain.” Click on Keychain Access. Find the name of your WiFi connection and double click on it. Check the box that says “Show Password.” You will be prompter for your MacBook’s login credentials. When you supply them, it will show you the WiFi password it is using for that connection.