WPA3, short for Wi-Fi Protected Access 3, is the latest generation of Wi-Fi security technology announced by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2018. It represents an improvement over WPA2, aimed at safeguarding open networks, fortifying against weak passwords, and simplifying device configurations.
Rest assured, WPA2 isn't GPON ONUJ disappearing anytime soon; the Wi-Fi Alliance will continue addressing its shortcomings, and WPA3 access points will temporarily maintain backward compatibility with WPA2.
Considering the significant time lapse between the initial version's release in 2003 and WPA2 arriving just a year later, the length of time before the release of WPA3, more than a decade later, is evident. Refer to the changes between WPA2 and WPA to understand the evolution between these versions.
WPA3 introduces several security updates, including more secure public Wi-Fi, protection against weak passwords, and simplified setups.
More Secure Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is generally recommended as a last resort or for non-sensitive information transmission, given the uncertainty of who else might be monitoring the network, and most free Wi-Fi is unencrypted.
In such cases, WPA3 offers enhancements in security through forward secrecy and encryption.
Why is forward secrecy so useful? Essentially, it means attackers can't collect a bunch of data and crack it later. With older versions of WPA, someone could collect data from a network, take it home, and sift through it after applying passwords, gaining access to all that information and any future data they captured. WPA3 isolates each session, rendering this "lazy" hacker approach useless, requiring them to guess each password on the network.
The lack of encryption on open networks is a significant issue, but now WPA3 can provide encryption. While WPA2 networks were encrypted, they lacked it when not using a password, much like open networks. This should have been addressed years ago for obvious reasons, but better late than never.
It operates based on Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE), working through Wi-Fi Enhanced Open, offering personalized encryption for each device to protect its data, even when the network doesn't require a password.
Preventing Weak Passwords
In terms of enhancing security on open networks, WPA3 holds an additional advantage: even weak passwords are as secure as strong ones. It employs Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which, according to IEEE, can resist passive attacks, active attacks, and dictionary attacks.
Ultimately, it makes it harder for hackers to crack your password, even if it's not considered a strong one.
Simplified Setup
Connecting devices to Wi-Fi networks can sometimes be a cumbersome process. WPA3 features a simpler pairing mechanism called Wi-Fi Easy Connect, utilizing QR codes to expedite setup.
For instance, you might have a plethora of Internet of Things (IoT) devices scattered throughout your home that you adore but neglect to set up. This typically involves a whole process of connecting directly to the devices with your phone so that you can integrate them into the rest of your network. Scanning a QR code speeds up the process.
Wi-Fi Easy Connect also comes into play when adding new guest devices on open networks without a password. It works by having one device act as a so-called configurator, while others register. One device scans another, immediately providing the correct credentials without the need for a password.
Security Concerns with WPA3
Like any technology, vulnerabilities will eventually be discovered through testing. While some core features make WPA3 better than the old standards, that doesn't mean it's without issues.
In 2019, a vulnerability attack called dragonblood allowed hackers to crack Wi-Fi passwords through brute force and denial-of-service attacks. The good news is that it seems to be an issue only when not using HTTPS, which should be rare.
These changes showcase the progress and new challenges brought by WPA3. This new technology brings substantial improvements to Wi-Fi security but requires ongoing attention and fixes to address potential security vulnerabilities.
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