Wi-Fi Encryption equips your wireless network with an authentication protocol via a password or network key. Through this, users who do not have permission to use your wireless network will not have access to it. Hence, keeping your personal information and data safe. Moreover, your Wi-Fi’s speed and performance will be up to par as well.
However, as technology advances, so does the development of Wi-Fi encryption methods. Thus, older Wi-Fi encryption standards become outdated and obsolete. Therefore, it is important to equip your wireless network with the strongest encryption to protect yourself from cyberattacks. Recently in the market, the WPA3 is the strongest Wi-Fi encryption of 2022 due to its modern authentication features and security protocols.
WPA3: An Introduction
Developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, WPA3 stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access 3. WPA3 is the most modern, and technologically advanced security measure for wireless networks. Since it was released in 2018, there are various versions of the WPA3.
The focus of the WPA3 is to use the most recent security methods to protect sensitive data. In addition to this, it equips the network with a high cryptographic strength to improve security protocols.
WPA3 Personal (WPA-3 SAE) Mode
Following its predecessor, WPA2, WPA3 personal is a password-based method. However, unlike WPA2, WPA3 Personal has a more powerful password-based authentication.
As the name suggests, WPA3 Personal is mainly for at-home purposes. Through this, individuals can personalize which password to select and is quite easy to use. The only drawback to this is that they may choose a weak password.
However, even if the user selects a password that is not up to the WPA3 Personal’s complexity standards, it has SAE. SAE stands for Simultaneous Authentication of Equals. Through this technology, wireless encryption defends itself from unauthorized attacks.
Thus, even by trying various passwords, the network will not allow further interaction. In case of any privacy breach, the WPA3 Personal protects data traffic even after it has been transmitted.
WPA3 Enterprise (WPA3 ENT) Mode
Normally, businesses make use of the WPA3 Enterprise as it has a more complex authentication system. Thanks to its various Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) methods. Thus, there is less chance of data violation because of its strong security measures.
Upon the base of the WPA2 Enterprise’s management frame protection, the WPA3 Enterprise has more features and a higher standard of protection. Hence, hacking becomes almost impossible as WPA3 Enterprise uses the technology on all connections.
The WPA3 Enterprise imposes a minimum of 120-bit authentication encryption with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication. Moreover, its conformation standards require 256-bit derivation encryption.
Additionally, to further secure the wireless network, it does not allow passwords as a security measure. Therefore, the WPA3 Enterprise makes use of an authentication server, and other similar requirements to protect the network.
WPA3 Enterprise with 192-bit Mode
The WPA3 Enterprise with 192-bit Mode Is an extension of the WPA3 Enterprise. However, the former allows a minimum strength of 120-bit authentication encryption. Whereas, this extension has the option to further protect your sensitive data with a minimum strength of 192-bit.
Furthermore, as this standard has enhanced security protocols, it has 256-bit authentication encryption and key encryption of 384-bit. Additionally, the 192-bit standard supports the 256-bit through stronger Management Frame Protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, data protection is a very important aspect of our lives that we have to be cautious of. It becomes increasingly necessary in the digital age we live in. Thus, to prevent your information from getting into the wrong hands, strong Wi-Fi encryption is necessary.
As the WPA3 is the latest standard in the market, it ensures that only relevant authorities have access to your personal and business information. Hence, if you still use any of the outdated Wi-Fi encryption standards, it is important to switch to the WPA3.
You can easily do this manually at home by changing your Wi-Fi router’s security settings. Or, call your Wi-Fi provider and request them to do so.
