Password-protected wireless technology is a way to prevent unauthorised access and data theft. It comprises putting encryption technologies, authentication procedures, and access control policies in place to prevent unauthorised users from connecting to the network or intercepting data sent over it.
Encryption protocols are techniques for transforming data into a secret code that only authorised users with the correct key can decipher. Passwords, PINs, and biometrics are examples of authentication procedures used to verify the identity of users attempting to connect to the network. Access control rules specify the permissions and limits that users have when connecting to the network, such as limiting the time, location, or capacity of the connection.
Wireless networks can be password protected using a variety of encryption protocols and authentication approaches, such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA 3. WEP is the oldest and most vulnerable protocol, making it readily crackable by hackers. WPA and WPA2 are upgraded versions of WEP that use more sophisticated encryption techniques and offer increased security. WPA3 is the most recent and secure protocol, featuring improved encryption, protection against dictionary attacks, and easier IoT device settings.
To password-protect your wireless network, take the following steps:
A strong and unique password; this will be your first line of protection against unauthorised access to your Wi-Fi network. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long, consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A unique password should not be used for several accounts or services, and it should not contain any personal or common information, such as your name, birthday, or pet’s name.
Update your router firmware with the most recent security patches. This could assist in addressing any vulnerabilities or issues that may affect the security of your network. To learn how to upgrade your firmware and apply security updates, go to your router’s website or read its manual.
Use the most secure encryption and authentication protocols that your network and devices support. This can help keep unauthorised parties from intercepting or decrypting your data. The website or manual for your router has instructions for enabling the encryption protocol and authentication procedure. If feasible, choose WPA3 as the most secure option, with WPA2 as the second-best. You should avoid using WEP since it is incredibly insecure and easy to hack.
Change the default network name (SSID) and disable the network name broadcast. This can help prevent unwanted users from discovering or targeting your network. Your network name can be anything you like, but it should not contain any personal or common information like your name, address, or phone number. You can also disable the broadcast of the network name, which means that other devices will not notice your network unless they know its specific name. Check your router’s website or manual for instructions on changing the network name and turning off broadcasting.
Turn on the firewall and antivirus software on your router and other devices. This may help to prevent malicious traffic or malware from entering or infecting your network or devices. The website or manual for your router has instructions for enabling the firewall and antivirus software. You can also install security software or apps on your devices, such as VPNs, anti-spyware, and anti-phishing technologies.
What is the difference between WPA and WPA2?
WPA and WPA2 are two wireless network security protocols that protect against unauthorised access and data theft. The main difference between WPA and WPA2 is the encryption technology they use. WPA uses TKIP, a weaker and older encryption technique, whereas WPA2 uses AES, a better and more contemporary encryption method. WPA2 is a more robust key management system and offers more security than WPA. WPA2 outperforms WPA in terms of wireless network security.
What is the TKIP?
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Method) is a security method for wireless networks. TKIP was designed to replace WEP, which is exceedingly hazardous, without requiring new hardware. TKIP uses the same encryption technique as WEP and RC4, but it has certain security upgrades, such as:
a key mixing function that combines the secret key with the initialization vector before encrypting the data. This makes it more difficult for attackers to guess the key or use the same key on several broadcasts.
a sequence counter to prevent repeated assaults. This means the receiver will reject packets that are out of sequence or duplicated.
a message integrity check to prevent tampering with data. This means that attackers cannot modify the data without the receiver’s knowledge.
In contrast, TKIP remains insecure and has been out of date since 2009. It is vulnerable to specific attacks that can break encryption or bypass security safeguards. As a result, it is advised that you use a more secure protocol, such as WPA2 or WPA3, which use stronger encryption algorithms and offer better protection.
How does AES encryption work?
AES encryption is a type of data security that uses a shared secret key between the sender and receiver. AES encryption works by transforming data into a secret code that can only be deciphered with the same key. AES encryption works as follows:
The data is divided into 128-bit blocks, which are then processed using the AES algorithm.
The AES method consists of multiple rounds of operations that change depending on the length of the key. The key may be 128, 192, or 256 bits long, with 10, twelve, or fourteen rounds.
Each round of the AES algorithm includes four steps: SubBytes, ShiftRows, MixColumns, and AddRoundKey. These procedures use the key and a special table called the S-box to perform data substitutions, permutations, and mixing.
The MixColumns step is not included in the AES algorithm’s final round; hence, the output is encrypted data, also known as ciphertext.
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