WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3: Exploring the Differences

August 15, 2024 By Janne Smith No Comments 8 minutes

Unlike before, the wires don’t keep us glued to the desktop. Instead, wireless connections pave the way for enhanced accessibility. This wireless network uses WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 security protocols. However, with all sounding similar, what’s the difference between these WiFi security types? To answer that, we’ve got a comprehensive article explaining it all. Let’s dive in!

Note:With different protocols stepping in for a primary aim, cybersecurity, you may still be overlooking a crucial security tool, i.e., FastestVPN. We recommend configuring your WiFi router with the VPN.

Doing so will encrypt data transmitted from all your devices connected to the same router. And here’s the catch: it’s affordable without cutting out on the cost! Impressive, isn’t it? Elevate your data protection standards with FastestVPN today!

What is WEP?

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is the first WiFi security protocol introduced in 1997. It aims to elevate the security of wireless data transfers and avoid cyber threats by encrypting web traffic using 64—and 128-bit encryption keys.

Using static keys, you can then communicate with other wireless networks via the WEP protocol. All authorized systems on the same network can send and receive all encrypted messages. And anyone who doesn’t have the key can’t access the messages.

However, WEP wasn’t reliable as a WiFi network security protocol, and other protocols such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 stepped in. Following this section, we’ll cover each protocol individually.

What is WPA?

WiFi Protected Access stepped in as an upgraded protocol released in 2003, patching the previous gaps. WPA was quite similar to WEP, but major security updates were made, such as improving the static key vulnerability of WPA.

Instead, this protocol used the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP), which generates a new static key whenever a data packet passes the network. Here’s the difference between WEP and WPA: the former allows anyone with the standard static key to access the data, and the latter creates a new key every time a data packet transfers. WPA also prevents hackers from creating their own keys to intercept a network and access a data packet.

Furthermore, this security protocol leverages 128-bit encryption, which includes running message integrity checks. This way, black hats can’t continuously update their information against potential victims. While this may seem a fool-proof protocol, advancing cyber threats introduced gaps in WPA, and that’s where WPA2 stepped in.

What is WPA2?

WPA2 stepped in as an improved version and cemented the previous gaps. Released in 2004, this security type WiFi protocol is trusted by cybersecurity experts. It featured two main upgrades: elevated encryption standards and faster data authentication.

Speaking of improved data encryption standards, WPA2 uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which you might hear about different network software features. Entering as a groundbreaking encryption method, AES leveraged TKIP and WEP than RC4. Moreover, it used CCMP for data package verification.

Secondly, WPA2 introduced personal and enterprise modes. The former featured a Pre-Shared Key (PSK), i.e., this security type WiFidepended on a single shared passkey that’s known to the client device and the packet’s access point. The latter is more suitable for enterprises. It uses the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), facilitating advanced authentication credentials for the access point and the client device.

Conclusively, the advanced encryption methods lasted for over a decade until the black hats found their way out. As the gaps formed, the next WiFi protocol rolled in 14 years later.

What is WPA3?

Since the Key Reinstallation Attack (KRACK) is a major threat, WPA3 is the current advanced WiFi network security protocol that primarily patched up the KRACK in 2019. Delving into the details, there are 3 primary focuses of the WPA3 protocol.

Comparing WPA2 vs WPA3, unlike before, WPA3 focuses on individualized data encryption policies where every data transmission gets encrypted through its individual encryption key. Illustrating that, if a hacker intercepts the network, there will be various complex decryption steps. With various barriers on the way, data theft almost becomes impossible with this security type WiFi.

Moreover, AES encryption now follows the SAE protocol to improve protection against offline attacks, including password guesses. The cryptographic algorithms make it impossible to steal the data.

Additionally, brute force attacks account for 5% of all data breaches. That necessitated the WPA3 protocol, which now protects you from these attacks. However, despite its advanced features, this security protocol also has its drawbacks.

The WPA3 Vulnerabilities 2024

When considering the WPA2 vs WPA3, here are the 3 common WPA3 drawbacks explained briefly:

1. Slow Transition Period

WiFi protocols generally have a slow transition period, especially when data is transmitted between older and advanced devices. WPA3, the latest protocol, features a slow transition due to incompatibility.

2. New Hardware Requirements

If you’re using an older router, it might not be compatible with WPA3. You’ll need to upgrade to a router compatible with this security type WiFi.

3. Device Incompatibility

Despite launching in 2018, WPA3 is considerably new, and few users know about this security type WiFi. Following that, not all devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and routers, are compatible. Before switching to this protocol, you must ensure that all your devices are compatible.

WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 Comparison Table

Simply put, all WiFi security types aim to enhance a user’s data security; however, the protocols come as updated versions stepped in to bridge the previous gaps. Starting from WP to most cybersecurity experts claiming WPA3 is the best, it can still be hard to wrap your head around the technicalities of the WiFi security types.

To make it easier, here’s a quick WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 comparison table:

WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3: What Is the Best Security Type for a Wireless Network?

WPA3 is considered the best security protocol for a Wireless network. However, due to compatibility issues, it’s not very commonly used. Also, your preference regarding the WiFi security types can differ depending on the hardware’s compatibility.

When choosing a protocol, you must ensure that your available options meet industry standards. Furthermore, you must check if your router supports the chosen protocols from WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3.

Conclusively, you must only choose the safest protocol, like the WPA3, for its advanced security standards. And when going for this, you must always check your router’s and other devices’ compatibility with the chosen protocol.

What Security Protocol Is My Wi-Fi Using?

The steps to finding out the security protocol depend on the device you’re using. In this section, we’ll explain different methods of finding the WiFi network security protocol on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and Android:

Find Wi-Fi Security Type on Windows 10

• Navigate and click on the network icon from the bottom right corner of the screen.
• All available Internet networks will appear. Find and right-click on the network you’re connected to.
• Choose Properties > Security.
• Find the Security Type/Encryption Type. Click on it, and you’ll find the protocol.

Find WiFi Security Type on Windows 11

• Navigate and click on the network icon from the bottom right corner of the screen.
• You’ll see a list of available networks; click on the network you’re connected to.
• A Menu will appear. Find and select Properties.
• Find and click on Network and Internet Settings > Network and Internet Settings.
• A window will open in the sidebar. Select WiFi.
• You can find the network you’re connected to from the WiFi settings. Click on the network you’re connected to.
• A Network Settings Window will appear. Scroll down to Properties.
• Find the Security Type/Encryption Type. It will show the security protocol the network is using.

How to Find Wi-Fi Security Type on macOS

• Press and hold the Option Key.
• Navigate the toolbar and click on the WiFi icon.
• You’ll now see your network details and the WiFi security type.

How to Find WiFi Security Type on Android

• Go to device Settings and navigate WiFi/Network & Internet.
• Find and select your connected Network.
• The details will appear. Find the Security/Security Type.
• You can now see the protocol to which your network is connected.

Final Note

This article walked you through a brief comparison of WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 where we briefly explained each protocol and recapitulated it in a table. While WPA3 protocol is most advanced and robust security protocol, many users still don’t use it due to its incompatibility on the older routers.

While all these protocols focus on security enhancement, it’s best to configure the router with a VPN. For example, you manually configure FastestVPN, it encrypts all your data, making it almost impossible to intercept.

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