Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and Wi-Fi Protected Access2 (WPA2) are security networks. They are used to protect the network that is connected to Wi-Fi networks. WPA was developed in 2003 and then the more secure version was developed in 2004 named WPA2. Wi-Fi Alliance has developed the WPA for providing more sophisticated data encryption and better authentication of users in comparison to WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
Introduction
Wi-Fi Protected Access is abbreviated as WPA and Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 is abbreviated as WPA2. WPA and WPA2 are the security standards that are used for protecting the network stations that are connected to particular WiFi networks. These are developed by WiFi alliance so they can provide sophisticated data encryption technologies and also provide better authentication features as compared to the earlier used standard i.e, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a type of security standard that is used for computing devices that have wireless internet connection features to connect. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) was developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
- WPA is developed so that it can deliver better authentication services to the user and also provide better data encryption services to users as compared to Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).
- WEP is a real Wi-Fi security standard and WPA is developed as an improvement over the WEP in terms of user authentication and data encryption.
- Since the 1990s, different versions of the Wi-Fi security standard have been developed so that they can provide better service to users as compared to the previous one.
- WPA is a security standard that is developed for improving the weaknesses that are present in the Wired Equivalent Privacy(WEP) standard.
- It improves the WEP in terms of providing authentication and encryption features to the users. WPA2 is an upgraded version of the WPA.
Versions
WPA
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) was developed in 2004. The IEEE standard was standardized as IEEE 802.11i/D3.0 wireless network. WPA adopted an encryption method and this encryption method is generally a Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) in WPA standard security. TKIP contains an Integrity check, re-keying mechanism, and per-packet key. It provides better security services by generating encryption for each packet in the network.
WPA2
WPA2 is an upgraded version of the WPA and it was introduced in 2004. In IEEE standard, Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) is IEEE 802.11i/D9.0. In WPA, there is stronger protection of data and access control on the network. WPA2 provides the facility of 802.1x-based authentication for better security of the network. There are two modes of operation in WPA2:
- Personal mode or Pre-shared Key (WPA2-PSK): It is suitable for use in the home environment or for personal use but it is not suitable for business networks. Encryption paraphrase is defined on any access points and wireless routers. While connecting to the Wi-Fi network users must be required to enter the passphrase. This mode seems to be easy to implement like enterprise mode even though it does not provide centralized and individual control. One paraphrase is used for all the users and if the global paraphrase is modified then every APs and computer requires manual modification.
- Enterprise mode (WPA2-EAP): As its name suggests, it is more suitable for organization and business purposes. It provides individual as well as central control for accessing your Wi-Fi network, even though its setup is more complicated as compared to the Pre-Shared mode. Login credentials are assigned to the users and presence is a must while connecting to a particular network. Administrators can modify and revoke these login credentials anytime. The user is not allowed to deal with the actual encryption keys.
WPA3
The third version of the Wi-Fi-protected access protocol is WPA3. The WPA was developed in 2018 by the Wi-Fi Alliance. WPA3 was developed with some new features for use of personal and enterprise purposes.
- Individualized data encryption: Wi-Fi Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) is used in WPA3 so that it can allow the user to use Near Field Communication (NFC) tags. 128-bit encryption is not used in WPA3, it used GCMP-256 encryption for security purposes.
- Simultaneous Authentication of Equals protocol: This is used for secure handshake purposes. And for this purpose, devices are connected to a wireless access point. For verification of authentication and connection, both devices communicate with each other. WPA3 provides a handshake more securely if the password of the user is not so strong.
- Stronger brute force attack protection: The WPA3 protects the user from offline password guesses as it allows only one guess for the password. It enables users to directly interact with the Wi-Fi device. It means users have to present physically whenever they try to guess the password. In public open networks, the WPA3 becomes inadequate in terms of built-in encryption and privacy.
WPA vs. WPA2 vs. WPA3: When to Use Them?
WPA is used for providing security to devices connected to the wireless network. WPA2 is used to protect the network from unauthorized access. In this, data is transmitted in an encrypted format within the network. It allows to access the network to only those users who have passwords for entering the network. WPA3 is used for providing more stronger brute force protection. WPA3 enables protection against offline password guesses. It provides this protection by allowing each user to guess only once.
WPA vs. WPA2
- WPA2 is more secure than WPA.
- TKIP is used in WPA while TKIP or the more advanced AES-based encryption algorithm is used in WPA2.
- In WPA, there is a chance of hacking but in WPA2 there is no chance of hacking as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is used by WPA2.
- WPA2 needed more powerful hardware as it required more processing power to protect the network as compared to WPA.
- WPA2 is faster in data encryption as compared to WPA.
WPA2 vs. WPA3
TKIP or the more advanced AES-based encryption algorithm is used in WPA2 whereas WPA3 for enterprise purposes uses AES-256 in GCM mode and for personal use, it uses AES-128 in CCM mode as the minimum encryption algorithm.
How to Identify the Wi-Fi Security Type? (In Windows10, macOS, Android)
Users need to know its Wi-Fi encryption type for network security purposes. Older protocols are easily accessed by hackers as they are more vulnerable to threats. It happened because older protocols are not designed in a way that they can understand how hackers can attack the routers. Recently developed protocols have resolved all these issues and provide the best Wi-Fi security strength to the network.
In Windows 10:
- In the taskbar, click on the Wi-Fi connection icon.
- After this click on the properties in which there is an option for Wi-Fi details.
- In Wi-Fi details, see the details of security types that show your Wi-Fi protocol.
In macOS:
- Click on the option key.
- After it goes to the Wi-Fi icon present in the Toolbar.
- Through this detail of your network and Wi-Fi security type will be displayed.
In Android:
- Click on the Settings option on your Android phone.
- Open the Wi-Fi category option.
- Select the router through which you’re connected and this will also display the details of our network.
- It will also display the Wi-Fi security type.
- The steps for reaching the details of your network may be different according to your Android phone.
On an iPhone:
Like macOS, android, and windows, in an iPhone, there is no method for displaying the details of your network. If a user wants to check its Wi-Fi security strength, then the user has two options. Either user can use a computer or phone to login into the router.
Modes of WPA and WPA2
WPA-EAP (WPA Extensible Authentication Protocol)
WPA-EAP (WPA Extensible Authentication Protocol) was developed so that it can be used in the enterprise or the business network. For this, it needs an authentication server i.e, Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS). It requires a complicated setup and it generates a key and other security measures complicated. For authentication of different categories of the particular network, it uses Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP).
WPA-PSK (WPA Pre-Shared Key)
WPA-PSK (WPA Pre-Shared Key) was mainly developed for use at home and small officers do not require any authentication server for its usage. A 256-bit shared key is present in a wireless network. Many devices are connected to this particular network, so each device drives its 128-bit encryption key from this shared key of 256-bit.
Working with WPA
There are options for using WPA in a wireless network connection and for setting up the network for other connections. It was designed in a way that it can support pre-WPA devices. Suppose there is a pre-WPA device that uses WEP but can perform some work only with the WPA after upgrading firmware. WPA devices are sensitive to criminals attack, although the Protocol is providing more security features as compared to WEP. The passphrase is the most appropriate and strong enough solution to resolve the problem of brute force attack or some other attack also.
Difference between WPA and WEP
If you are using a router without a security protocol , then there is a chance that criminals can easily access your internet bandwidth. They can perform illegal activities using your internet connection, they can also install malicious software on your network, and can monitor all your activities that are performed on the network. So, it is necessary to protect your router. It is important to know the difference between security protocol and implementing the Protocol with its latest version and this latest version must support your router. WEP has now become out of date as compared to Wi-Fi encryption standards, and users want to use the latest protocol with improved features for their network. Some measures for improving your router security services are:
- Change the default name of your home Wi-Fi.
- Change the username and password of your router.
- Firmware needs to be up to date.
- Remote access, universal plug-and-play, and Wi-Fi-protected setup can be disabled for security purposes.
- If possible, then use the guest network.
Conclusion
- WPA is a security standard used for protecting stations that are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- WEP is more vulnerable to threats whereas WPA provides more security features for the protection of the Network.
- In the IEEE standard, WPA was standardized as IEEE 802.11i wireless network.
- Different versions of WPA are WPA, WPA2, and WPA3
- There are two modes of WPA and WPA2
- WPA-EAP (WPA Extensible Authentication Protocol)
- WPA-PSK (WPA Pre-Shared Key)
- Among WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, WPA3 is the fastest and WPA is the slowest, in terms of data encryption speed.
FAQs
Q. How can I find the WPA key for my router?
A. On the bottom of your router, the key and the name of your wireless network (SSID) are printed. The name of the network and key should not be similar to the username and password which is required for accessing the router’s settings. If the condition occurs when the WPA key has been changed, then you need to reset your router so that your key can be returned to default.
Q. How can we differentiate between WPA and WPA2 and WPA3?
A. The difference between WPA and WPA2 is that WPA2 provides superior encryption services as compared to WPA. And the latest version of WPA is WPA3, which provides enhanced security features for open networks.
Q. How can I identify if my router is the WEP or WPA?
A. In Windows 10, choose the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, in the taskbar, choose the Wi-Fi icon. After it, choose the properties of the network to which you are currently connected. In the MAC, keep pressing the Wi-Fi option then, choose the Wi-Fi icon in the toolbar so that details of the network you are connected to can be displayed. In Android, click on the Wi-Fi connections and then go to the network so that its details can be displayed.
