WPA2 and WPA3 are both Wi-Fi security protocols, but WPA3 is the newer and more advanced version. WPA2 has been the standard for many years. WPA2 vs WPA3, which one is better? This blog will show you some details.
What is WPA?
The WPA’s Full name is Wi-Fi Protected Access. it was introduced in 2003. It was developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance as a security authentication program for securing unlimited computer networks.
The Wi-Fi Alliance defined WPA as a response to serious weaknesses in the WEP protocol. Later in 2004, the more secure WPA2 was introduced. In 2018, the third version of WPA, WPA3, was introduced again.
What is WPA2?
WPA2 is a form of authentication for the IEEE 802.11i standard validated by the Wi-Fi Alliance. WPA2 is a more secure protection standard than the previous WPA and WEP and is backward compatible with WPA-enabled wireless clients.
It is backward compatible with WPA-enabled wireless clients, and WPA and WPA2 are interoperable on routers for enhanced security. WPA2 uses AES encryption and introduces CCMP and TKIP encryption mechanisms.
Although WPA2 has fewer vulnerabilities than its predecessor, it is still susceptible to certain cyber threats, including dictionary and brute force attacks. Vendors often provide security patches for WPA2 to minimize vulnerabilities.
What is WPA3?
WPA3 is the third version of WPA, announced by the Wi-Fi Alliance in June 2018. And it became mandatory in July 2020 for Wi-Fi certification.
Compared to its predecessor, WPA3 replaces CCMP with Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP), although it also uses AES. The key length of AES has been increased. WPA3 Personal uses either 128-bit or 192-bit keys, while WPA3 Enterprise uses 192-bit keys.
Most computers currently connected to a wireless network support the use of WPA, WPA2, or WPA3.
How Does the WPA Work?
WPA is categorized into two modes of operation: Personal Mode and Enterprise Mode.
Personal mode, also known as WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key) mode. It is designed for homes, small offices, and some basic uses, and this mode does not require server authentication.
Each wireless network device encrypts network communications by extracting a 128-bit encryption key from a 256-bit shared key. However, if one device is attacked, all devices on the network should change their passwords.
Enterprise mode replaces vulnerable WEP with more advanced TKIP encryption, providing greater security control. TKIP ensures that the encryption key is constantly updated, reducing security risks. Authentication is performed through a RADIUS server, providing strong security, which is especially important in enterprise environments.
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WPA2 vs WPA3 – A Comparison Between Them
WPA2 and WPA3 are two essential security protocols you will come across when it comes to protecting your Wi-Fi network.
They both work to prevent unwanted users from accessing your wireless network, but their methods and degrees of success are different. Let’s examine WPA2 and WPA3 side by side to see how they differ and which would be more suitable for your purposes.
Security Enhancements
WPA2: When WPA2 was first released in 2004, it greatly increased wireless network security over WPA. It uses the reliable and trusted Advanced Encryption Standard encryption.
But WPA2 is susceptible to some assaults, including the 2017 discovery of the Key Reinstallation Attack.
WPA3: WPA3 released in 2018. Compared with WPA2, WPA2 supports substantial security upgrades. The most notable improvement is the introduction of Simultaneous Authentication of Equals.
The SAE replaces the Pre-Shared Key method used in WPA2, making it more difficult for attackers to perform offline dictionary attacks. WPA3 also addresses the vulnerabilities exposed by the Key Reinstallation Attack.
Encryption Strength
WPA2: WPA2 uses 128-bit AES encryption. This encryption is strong but may not be future-proof as computational power increases.
The encryption applies to all devices on the network equally, which is effective but not optimized for modern usage scenarios.
WPA3: In WPA3-Enterprise mode, WPA3 improves encryption by using 192-bit encryption. And introduces individualized data encryption.
As a result, it is far more difficult for hackers to listen in on conversations between devices as every device connected to the network has a distinct encryption key.
Protection Against Offline Attacks
WPA2: The Pre-Shared Key method used in WPA2, is easy to be offline attacked. Attackers can capture data and then attempt to guess the password by trying various combinations offline. This vulnerability makes WPA2 less secure if the password is weak.
WPA3: To mitigate the password leaking risk, WPA3 uses SAE to ensure the passwords will never be transmitted over the air.
Instead, both parties confirm they have the correct password without sharing it, making offline attacks far less effective.
Easy To Use
WPA2: WPA2 can be easily set up, but it’s relatively difficult in some devices without user interfaces, such as smart home gadgets. WPA2 doesn’t have the specific features to simplify device connection.
WPA3: WPA3 introduces Easy Connect, which simplifies the process of connecting devices to the network, especially those without screens.
This feature uses QR codes to streamline the connection process, making it more user-friendly, particularly in environments with many IoT devices.
Forward Secrecy
WPA2: WPA2 does not own the Forward Secrecy function. If an attacker gains access to your encryption key, they can potentially decrypt all previously captured data.
WPA3: WPA3 implements the Forward Secrecy, it can ensure that even if a key is leaked, the past communication sessions are still safe. This adds an extra layer of protection and is a significant improvement over WPA2.
Device Compatibility
WPA2: Almost all devices support WPA2, the broad compatibility makes it a practical choice, especially if you have older devices.
WPA3: Although the latest devices are increasingly supporting WPA3, the older devices may not be compatible. Most modern routers offer a mixed mode that supports both WPA2 and WPA3, allowing older and newer devices to connect securely.
WPA2 vs WPA3 – FAQs
What are the disadvantages of WPA3?
The fact that WPA3 is not commonly used is its greatest drawback. As a result, it won’t work with a lot of devices, especially if you’re in an establishment or other location where a lot of devices are connected.
Why is WPA3 considered more secure?
WPA3 introduces several key enhancements, including Simultaneous Authentication of Equals, Forward Secrecy, and Improved Encryption. These new functions can protect against password-guessing attacks and keep hackers away
How do WPA2 and WPA3 differ in security?
WPA3 offers stronger security features than WPA2. It introduces a more robust encryption method, making it harder for attackers to crack passwords. WPA3 also provides forward secrecy, which means even if someone captures data from your network, they won’t be able to decrypt it later.
Conclusion
When comparing WPA2 and WPA3, WPA3 is unquestionably the superior choice. WPA3 makes a significant improvement over WPA2. However, the WPA3 can’t be available on all kinds of devices.
Both WPA2 and WPA3 have advantages and disadvantages, which one is better for you, depends on your devices and demand.
