WiFi connections free us from using a network cable to surf the web or connect to the local network. WiFi devices like smartphones, tablets, TVs, and consoles can now add advanced features. They benefit from the internet without being tied to a bulky cable. This blog related to WPA and WPA2 Security and wifi connections and network.

The lack of the wire has created a security “chasm” for our modem’s connected devices. Without protection, anyone can use our home Wi-Fi to surf the web for free. We are responsible if they commit crimes, like illegally downloading music and films. The authorities will hold us accountable.

As beginners with WiFi, we must learn to protect our network. We need to understand WPA and WPA2 Security. This knowledge will help us avoid being exploited by the smartest people.

1) What WEP means, the weakest protection (to avoid) :

The first way to protect our WiFi is WEP. It’s an old and obsolete security protocol. It offers only minimal protection against intrusions.

At the beginning, WiFi was one of the most used. But methods to hack it have grown like weeds. There are now detailed guides. You can now get WEP passwords in seconds, even from a mobile!

Thus, using WEP protection is like having no protection. It will keep away users with little computer skills. But, anyone with some Internet skills will steal your password. They will use our connection without problems, even with a long password. Better not to use it !

2) Which means WPA, the most compatible protection :

In order to respond to WEP’s vulnerabilities, a much more effective protection protocol was born: WPA .

WPA is hard to break. It offers good protection in all cases. Its security is best with a long password and modern encryption, like AES. For home use, use WPA-PSK. It is accessed by keyword. This is to distinguish it from WPA-Enterprise, which requires a server and a valid certificate for each connection.

WPA and WPA2 Security is vulnerable to dictionary attacks. These are hacker attacks that use a database of common words. They guess passwords by making many attempts per second. The speed depends on the power of the PC used for hacking. If we use WPA, we should choose a long, complex password. It should not reference names, dates, or any word in a dictionary.

WPA has been replaced by WPA2. But, it remains to connect old WiFi devices that are not compatible with the new protocol. Many modern routers offer WPA/WPA2 mixed protection for this reason. If a connected device is recent, the modem will use WPA2. Otherwise, it will use WPA for maximum compatibility.

3) What WPA2 means, the most effective protection :

Currently, the most effective protection system for any WiFi network is WPA2 . It is WPA in its current incarnation. For robust encryption, it makes use of CCMP and AES. Additionally, dictionary attacks are less likely to succeed. So, it is the best “lock” for our wireless security. For home use, use WPA2-PSK. It is access by keyword. This differs from WPA2-Enterprise, which needs a server and a valid certificate for each connection. We recommend using WPA2 if all devices are recent (from 2010 on). If we have some older devices, we recommend mixed protection, i.e., WPA/WPA2. Our modem/router will choose the best protection based on the connecting device.

4) Change WiFi protection: WPA and WPA2 Security

Now that we know what WEP, WPA and WPA2 Security, we will show you how to quickly change the type of protection. This change can only be made on the modem/router control panel. So, we must access this panel before proceeding. In most cases, just open a browser on a connected device.

Then, type one of these addresses in the top bar:

• 192.168.1.1 
• 192.168.0.1 
• 192.168.1.254

We will then see the modem’s login screen. After entering the username and password (usually admin/admin), we will access the config panel.

From the config panel, we look for WiFi, Wireless Network, or WiFi Security. The names vary by modem or router model. We want to change the protection type of our WiFi network. We can choose between WPA2-PSK or mixed protection (WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK).

If we have a dual-band WiFi modem, it transmits on 5GHz. We will have to make the same change for the other frequency. This is to always have the maximum protection, regardless of the network used.

5) Find out what kind of WiFi protection we are using

We do not know what kind of WiFi protection I should use for the network we are connected to?

If we use a public hotspot, this will help you. You’ll know if the data you are exchanging with the router is safe.

To quickly check the WiFi security of your or nearby networks, use a free app, like WiFi Analyzer. It’s on Android. It’s available for download.

After installing the app, open the access points section. It will show the protections of our network and nearby ones.

Wi-Fi Security Software: What Is It?

Wi-Fi security products protect against cyber dangers. These include hackers, data interception, and illegal access. They enforce access limits, detect and stop harmful activity, and encrypt data transfers. Users set these up and install them on a network device. Such as a Wi-Fi router. Cutting-edge breach protection is provided by newly integrated solutions in cloud systems.

Wi-Fi security software includes tools to test performance and security on WiFi. To assess the condition of your Wi-Fi network, these tools use testing and analysis. They are able to locate unauthorized access sites. These are able to monitor network stability and speed. They are able to evaluate the network’s health and identify weaknesses.