WPAWPA2WPA3

WPAWPA2WPA3 is not a single official standard, but a shorthand reference to the evolution of Wi‑Fi security protocols designed to replace the older WEP system. The trio commonly referred to in this way covers the main generations of protection used on 802.11 networks: WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, each introducing stronger authentication and encryption methods.

WPA (Wi‑Fi Protected Access) was introduced as a replacement for WEP in the early 2000s. It used the TKIP encryption protocol to improve security without requiring new hardware in many cases, but it was soon shown to have weaknesses. WPA laid the groundwork for user authentication and improved integrity checks, but its security is now considered outdated for modern networks.

WPA2, standardized around 2004–2006, is the dominant and most widely deployed security protocol. It requires the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with the CCMP cipher, offering stronger data protection. WPA2 supports two modes: Personal (pre‑Shared Key) and Enterprise (802.1X). It also introduced mandatory robust key management and improved privacy over distance. Publicly exposed vulnerabilities in WPA2, such as the KRACK attacks identified in 2017, led to widespread patches and emphasized the importance of up-to-date firmware.

WPA3, introduced in the late 2010s, strengthens protections further. It uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) for password-based authentication, providing better password‑guess resistance and forward secrecy. WPA3 also improves security for open networks with Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) and supports stronger protections in enterprise deployments, including a higher security level in WPA3‑Enterprise. A transitional mode exists to maintain compatibility with WPA2 devices, but this can reduce security benefits.

In practical use, many networks operate in mixed modes (WPA2/WPA3) to balance compatibility and security. WPA3 is recommended for new deployments where devices support it.