If you operate a wireless network, the security of your Wi-Fi is crucial. Over 20 years of advances have strengthened Wi-Fi security considerably, but legacy protocols still linger. In this technology guide, we‘ll explore the key differences between the obsolete WEP and the modern WPA Wi-Fi security standards.
The Rise and Fall of WEP
When Wi-Fi was first standardized in 1997 as IEEE 802.11, security was not yet a priority. The Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol emerged in 1999 as an optional encryption standard to secure early Wi-Fi networks.
WEP relied on the RC4 stream cipher to encrypt data with either 64-bit or 128-bit keys. It also utilized CRC-32 checksums to detect transmission errors. For authentication, it supported Open System Authentication, allowing open access to the network, or Shared Key Authentication which required a password.
However, serious weaknesses soon surfaced in WEP:
- Vulnerable encryption: Static keys made WEP prone to attacks like man-in-the-middle attacks which could decrypt traffic.
- Weak authentication: The shared password authentication method was also easy prey for attacks.
- No message integrity checks: WEP couldn‘t detect tampered messages.
Hackers publicized attacks like the Fluhrer-Mantin-Shamir attack which efficiently recovered RC4 encryption keys. This led the IEEE and Wi-Fi Alliance to create the more robust Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) standard in 2003.
Introducing WPA
The Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) forms the core of WPA encryption. It utilizes per-packet keys and a mixing function so that compromised keys only reveal a small amount of data. This prevents attacks like the Fluhrer-Mantin-Shamir attack which relied on static keys.
For even better encryption, WPA introduced support for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) which supports key lengths of 128, 192 or 256 bit encryption keys for military-grade security.
WPA also added crucial Message Integrity Checks using Michael to detect malicious packet tampering. The fourth major addition was a true authentication framework using 802.1X and the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP).
Together, these four ingredients – TKIP, AES, Michael, and 802.1X/EAP – created a radically improved security system.
WPA Versions Over Time
The Wi-Fi Alliance has steadily improved WPA over the past two decades:
- WPA (2003): The inaugural version resolved WEP flaws with TKIP and Michael.
- WPA2 (2004): Added CCMP/AES mandatory encryption and other minor upgrades.
- WPA2 (2016): Required countermeasures against common attacks like WPS PIN cracking.
- WPA3 (2018): Uses SAE instead of pre-shared keys and adds easy enrollment.
Today WPA2 and WPA3 are the sanctioned protocols for securely transmitting data over Wi-Fi, while WEP lags far behind as a relic of Wi-Fi‘s early days.
WEP vs WPA: 5 Key Differences
| Security Aspect | WEP | WPA |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption Standard | RC4 (max. 128-bit keys) | AES (max. 256-bit keys) |
| Authentication Method | Open System/Shared Key | 802.1X/EAP frameworks |
| Message Integrity | None | Michael checks |
| Key Management | Static | Dynamic per-packet |
| Supported Wi-Fi Versions | 802.11a/b | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax |
It‘s clear that WPA outmatches WEP in all crucial metrics around encryption, authentication, integrity, and general security.
Conclusion
WPA3 represents over two decades of ongoing security improvements by the Wi-Fi Alliance. With cutting-edge authentication, dynamic encryption, and robust data protection, WPA3 delivers security that stays ahead of modern cyberthreats.
Meanwhile, WEP‘s rudimentary encryption and authentication failed to evolve, cementing its fate as an obsolete relic. No business or consumer Wi-Fi network should still be relying on such a dated protocol. Upgrading to WPA3 is simple and ensures your wireless connections remain fully secured.
