Internet Password Field Length - Router

[Cyberat_88]

Since installing Winblows Home Premium 7, I can no longer use my Router Admin password, it is 17 chars. in length.
Does this version of windows limit password fields by default ? Is a required service disabled ?
Note there is no Local Security Policy in this version.

 

[WR2]

Have you tried another web browser to work on your router? Maybe Firefox or Chrome?

Win7 should not care how long a password you have or what characters are in the password.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I use IE and Seamonkey. I keep IE to double check for troubleshooting purposes. In this case same results. I am getting Firefox 12 (non-beta) just to test browser number 3. I meant Windows 7 was a change of OS, installed clean by vendor. Password was set in XP. Other possibility, cell phone connected to WIFI is a vulnerability worth exploring ?

 

[WR2]

I'm thinking a reset of the router and going back and setting a new password.

I don't believe your WiFi router would have been exploited by a connected phone.

 

[Cyberat_88]

Same for Firefox, field cuts off at 15 chars. with room to go, my pwd. is 17 chars.

 

[Cyberat_88]

Will have to fully test tomorrow from XP PC inaccessible now, will update this when I know better, if XP is the same, will have to reset router and reload settings. Thanks.

 

[WR2]

I just checked a few password fields. And I'm getting the same 15 character limit ATM too.
Lets see what google can find.

 

[WR2]

And found a few more sites (including THG) that use a password field longer than 15 characters.
So I'm thinking it's a remote host (in your case your router) imposed limit.
It could be that you thought the password was 17 characters but only the 15 were used.

I had always thought that the maximum limit for passwords was 127 characters.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I always typed 17 from XP and my brother connected on 17 from phone, but my Windows phone did not connect...

 

[Cyberat_88]

Is the limit imposed by WPA/2 or AES ?

 

[WR2]

I honestly don't know. I would guess it would be your Router, not WPA/2 or AES limits.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I have not seen any sections on router mentioning password length but it is a D-Link DIR-615. Why would it work in XP and be rejected in Win7 if it is a Router limitation ?

 

[WR2]

Ensure you've entered a complete WEP or WPA key.

Some brands of wireless routers automatically generate a simple text passphrase from the WEP key. The Kindle is not compatible with passphrases. You must enter the complete WEP key, which contain letters a-f and numbers 0-9. WEP key lengths are as follows:

64-bit WEP keys -- 10 digits
128-bit WEP keys -- 26 digits
256-bit WEP keys -- 58 digits

WPA keys have a minimum of 8 characters and a maximum of 63 characters, and are case sensitive.

 

[WR2]

What Im thinking is it captured only the first 15 characters of the password.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I used WPA key and entry contains letters, numbers and symbols, if first 15, still why is password rejected in windows 7 ? I do not own a kindle, signature is my new PC. Windows Phone is an HTC HD2, not worried about it.

 

[WR2]

That bit about the Kindle was just copy/pasted from a website mentioning password lengths. It was the first time I'd seen any mention of password max length for routers.

OK.. Windows 7 didn't reject the password. Only the router would do that.

 

[Cyberat_88]

Inputing only 15 chars. still returns invalid password. It maybe a hack attempt successful, even though I keep SSID invisible.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I meant FROM windows 7.

 

[Cyberat_88]

Definitely length limit has changed with OS, there is room in text box but unusable, something in win7 making fields act differently.

 

[WR2]

I just changed my THG forum password to 21 characters.
Definitely not a 15 character limit set in Windows 7.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I need the logic, if router set 15, why would XP display 17+ fields ? Why is password passing in XP and failing in Win7 ? Right now I am leaning towards router hack, will know more tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

 

[WR2]

Logic is - limit is set by the remote host you're working on. That HTML page you type the password in - that's from the router. Win7/IE didn't make that page up for you - the router supplied it.

Check your THG password log in length for a password change.
Just as an example of a limit not set to 15 characters but at the length the host site sets for the field.

 

[Cyberat_88]

I must be tired, mixed up passwords of router admin. with wireless...
Problem solved - So shoot me now !

 

[WR2]

You're not the first (not by a long shot) and won't be the last ever to do that.

 

[Cyberat_88]

Best answer selected by Cyberat_88.