Wi-Fi Security Protocols

A Wi-Fi network that does not require a password or key to connect, making it accessible to anyone in the vicinity. Data transmitted on open networks is unencrypted and visible to anyone with a wireless network card.

A Wi-Fi network that does not require a password or key to connect, making it accessible to anyone in the vicinity. Data transmitted on open networks is unencrypted and visible to anyone with a wireless network card.

Open Wi-Fi Network

An encryption algorithm that uses a 56-bit key to encrypt data. It is now considered antiquated and insecure, as it can be compromised by brute force methods in less than a day.

Data Encryption Standard (DES)

A symmetric encryption algorithm that uses the DES algorithm three times in a row to encrypt data. While it increases the complexity of encryption, it can still be compromised, especially as more data is sent in a single session.

Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES)

A highly secure form of encryption widely used today. It can use a 128-bit, 192-bit, or 256-bit key, with longer key lengths providing stronger security.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

An early wireless security standard that aimed to provide the same level of security as a wired network. It uses a 40-bit or 104-bit encryption key, which can be easily compromised using brute force methods. It has been deprecated and is no longer recommended.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

A wireless security standard designed to overcome the weaknesses of WEP. It uses a variable-length alphanumeric passphrase and employs the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to generate a new encryption key for each packet, enhancing security compared to WEP.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

The successor to WPA, introduced in 2004. It supports the Counter Mode Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP), which is based on the AES encryption standard. It became the standard for wireless security for over a decade.

WPA2

The latest wireless security standard, released in 2018. IT increases the minimum key strength for enterprise mode connections and eliminates the use of passphrases for personal-mode networks. It also implements forward secrecy and encrypts management frames for improved security.

WPA3