NetworkManager distinguishes two types of wireless connections, trusted and untrusted. A trusted connection is any network that you explicitly selected in the past. All others are untrusted. Trusted connections are identified by the name and MAC address of the access point. Using the MAC address ensures that you cannot use a different access point with the name of your trusted connection.
NetworkManager periodically scans for available wireless networks. If multiple trusted networks are found, the most recently used is automatically selected. NetworkManager waits for your selection in case that all networks are untrusted.
If the encryption setting changes but the name and MAC address remain the same, NetworkManager attempts to connect, but first you are asked to confirm the new encryption settings and provide any updates, such as a new key.
If you switch from using a wireless connection to offline mode, NetworkManager blanks the ESSID. This ensures that the card is disconnected.
NetworkManager knows two types of connections: user and
system connections. User connections are connections
that become available to NetworkManager when the first user logs in. Any required
credentials are asked from the user and when the user logs out, the
connections are disconnected and removed from NetworkManager. Connections that are
defined as system connection can be shared by all users and are made
available right after NetworkManager is started—before any users log in. In
case of system connections, all credentials must be provided at the time
the connection is created. Such system connections can be used to
automatically connect to networks that require authorization. For
information how to configure user or system connections with NetworkManager, refer
to Section 5.3, “Configuring Network Connections”.
For KDE, system connections with NetworkManager are currently not supported (use YaST instead).
If you do not want to re-enter your credentials each time you want to connect to an encrypted network, you can use the desktop-specific tools GNOME Keyring Manager or KWalletManager to store your credentials encrypted on the disk, secured by a master password.
With KNetworkManager, you can configure if and how to store your credentials in KDE. To do so, left-click the KNetworkManager icon and select . Click + and select one of the following options:
- Do Not Store (Always Prompt)
This is useful if you are working in an environment where storing credentials is considered a security risk.
- In File (Unencrypted)
![[Warning]](admon/warning.png)
Security Risk Storing your network credentials unencrypted is a security risk. Everybody who has access to your computer can reuse your connectivity and intercept your network connection.
If you choose this option, your passwords are stored unencrypted in the respective connection file that is created for each connection. Find them under
$HOME/.kde4/share/apps/networkmanagement/connections.- In Secure Storage (Encrypted)
If you choose this options, your credentials are stored in KWalletManager. For more information on KWalletManager, see Chapter Managing Passwords with KWallet Manager (↑KDE User Guide).