How to check WiFi network security type on Windows 10

WiFi networks used in work places and homes are secured with a password. To an end user, that password is what security looks like. Open or public WiFi networks have no password and hence are unsafe but WiFi network security is more than just its password. The password is used to grant access to the network. Behind the scenes, different types of security are applied to keep the network safe. Here’s how you can check the security type for a WiFi network that you’re connected to on Windows 10.

You can learn about the various WiFi network security types here.

WiFi network security type

There are three ways to check the WiFi network security type on Windows 10. You can go through Command Prompt, the Settings app, or you can go through Control Panel. In all cases, you should be connected to the network you want to check the security type for. For networks that are in range but you’ve never connected to, you cannot find out their security type.

WiFi network security type – Settings app

Open the Settings app and go to the Network & Internet group of settings. Select the WiFi tab and click the network that you’re connected to (there will only be one).

Scroll to the very end of the next screen and look for ‘Security Type’.

WiFi network security type – Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt with normal user rights and run the following command.

netsh wlan show interfaces

The command will return information about the current WiFi network that your system is connected to. Look for the ‘Authentication’ line and it will tell you what security type is being used.

WiFi network security type – Control Panel

Open Control Panel and go to Network and Internet. Select Network and Sharing Center. Click on the name of the network you’re connected to.

In the window that opens, click the Wireless Properties button. A new window will open. Go to the Security tab and the Security Type dropdown will tell you what the network is using.

If you find that the security type being used isn’t the most secure, you may or may not be able to do anything about it. If it’s a work/office network, you will have to talk to the system administrator about improving the network security. If it’s your personal home network, and you know how to change a router’s configuration, you can change the security type used yourself. If the router has been provided by your ISP and you cannot change its settings, consider getting your own router or asking your ISP to change its security type.