Perhaps you’ve never wondered about Wi-Fi encryption and don’t know what it is. Wi-Fi encryption or encryption standards change over time and as new ones are developed, older ones become insecure and obsolete. Find out which is the best Wi-Fi encryption this year 2022.
WPA3 or Wi-Fi Protected Access Version 3
For home use the best option is the WPA3-Personal standard. This allows you to choose your own arbitrary password. Unlike WPA3-Enterprise, WPA3-Personal does not require in-depth knowledge of wireless security to set up correctly.
How to configure my router?
First of all, you should be aware that since WPA3 is quite new, your router may not be able to run it. In case both your router and your equipment are compatible with this encryption, you will need to follow these simple steps:
- Log in to the configuration interface of the device via the local web address provided. You will find this information in the device documentation or by contacting your provider.
- Look for a menu called Security Level or SSID Settings.
- Once you are in that section, you will see all the standards it supports, and you must choose WPA3.
Encryptions you should avoid
WPA2 standards are insecure and have been compromised. However, they are still better than previous Wi-Fi security standards, so they are not a bad choice.
However, there are other standards that you should avoid at all costs:
- WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): This security standard was the first attempt at wireless security. It was launched in 1997 and has been obsolete since 2007. Unfortunately, any hacker with minimal knowledge could breach it in a few minutes.
- WPA Version 1: Although it was introduced in 2003, it showed vulnerabilities only some 4 years later.
- WPA2-TKIP: Using the KRACK method, cybercriminals can discover security keys or private passwords for this protocol. You can learn more about this vulnerability here.
- WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup): This feature allows you to quickly connect a device to a Wi-Fi hotspot at the touch of a button. The bad news is that anyone with physical access to the router could connect to your network. In the infographic below you can see how it works.
Now you know which encryption standard is the most secure at the moment. Don’t forget that technology is constantly evolving and vulnerabilities follow closely behind. Therefore, it is important that you always keep your equipment up to date.
If you are concerned about your company’s cybersecurity, contact us. We will be happy to find the best solution to suit your needs.
