How to Manage WiFi and Web Browsing in Linux Using the Terminal

Linux users often find themselves working with the command line for better control and flexibility. If you want to manage WiFi connections and launch web browsers directly from the terminal, this guide will help you navigate the process. Below, we break down essential commands and methods using nmcli, iw, and nmtui.

1. Enabling and Disabling WiFi

To turn WiFi on or off using nmcli, use the following commands:

nmcli radio wifi off  # Disable WiFi
nmcli radio wifi on   # Enable WiFi

2. Connecting to WiFi from the Terminal

Method 1: Using nmtui

nmtui is a text-based user interface for managing networks. To use it:

nmtui

Navigate through the menu to select and connect to a WiFi network.

Method 2: Using nmcli

To connect directly using nmcli, use:

nmcli dev wifi connect <SSID> password <PASSWORD>

Replace <SSID> with your WiFi network name and <PASSWORD> with the correct password.

3. Checking Network Status

To check whether your interface is connected, run:

iw <interface_name> link

To list available WiFi networks:

sudo iwlist <interface> scan | grep -i ESSID

To view network device information:

nmcli -p device show

4. Running a Web Browser from the Terminal

Once connected to WiFi, you can launch a web browser from the terminal:

• For Firefox:

  firefox
  

• For Google Chrome:

  google-chrome
  

Note:

If using a GUI, but the browser does not launch, you may need to start the graphical session using:

startx

By mastering these commands, you can efficiently manage network connections and browsing in Linux without relying on the GUI.