Do you know how secure the router you are using is at this very moment? If you continue with us, you will be able to find out, since you will know what type of security protocol your WiFi network uses.
It may be that many of you who are reading this article do not know that There are several security protocols to access the WiFi signal that our router emits: WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3.
In order to know the level of security provided by the router we use, we must know which of all the existing protocols it uses, since, as is normal, the most modern ones are much more efficient and secure.
In addition to knowing if the device in charge of the WIFi has a good security system, it is also interesting that we understand the different types that exist and what their differences are.
For all this you should continue reading this article, because we are going to break down all the information you need to know about what we are talking about.
Differences between WiFi security protocols:
Types of WiFi security protocols
As we have already told you, there are 4 types of WiFi security. Not all are equally safe, since some are much more current than others. the types are WEP, WPA, WPA2 y WPA3.
WEP
WEP is the older security type, since it first came out back in 1997. There is still some old equipment that can carry this type of security, but there are fewer and fewer. Of all the protocols, WEP is considered the least secure, since it carried a type of static key.
WPA
WPA was once the successor to WEP due to the flaws found within it. It has additional features to make it more secure like the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). This function was a 128-bit dynamic keywhich was more difficult to access than the WEP key.
Furthermore, it was the protocol that introduced Message Integrity Checkwhose function was to send maliciously tampered packets.
WPA2
WPA2 is the successor to WPA and has many more security features. Replaced TKIP with Counter Mode Cipher Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP)which is a lot more effective when performing data encryption.
WPA2 remained the most used standard for a long time and is still very present today, although it already has a successor, which is increasingly implemented.
WPA3
WPA3 can be found in routers produced from 2019. This new format provides better encryption, something that is very noticeable in public networks, having some additional features to protect against brute force attacks.
WPA3 is not yet the most widely used type of WiFi security, but it will eventually become it, since this compatibility is mandatory from 2020.
All modern routers and WiFi-enabled devices already use it. It is, without a doubt, the safest of all.
Why are WiFi security types important?
Knowing the WiFi security protocol that we have is essential for the security of the network that we use every day in our home.
Older protocols are more vulnerable, which makes it easier for someone to break into our network. There are two main reasons to understand why older protocols are more insecure.
These protocols were designed before attacks on these types of networks were widespread, so there was no compelling need for protection. The new protocols have fixed these exploits. How is normal, the longer a type of protocol is active, the more time hackers will have to crack the security. For example, with WEP, by having so much active, an infinite number of vulnerabilities have been found.
How to know what type of WiFi protocol we have
Depending on the operating system we have, so we can know what our WiFi protocol is. So we must first make sure of it and from there do what each one demands.
Check in Windows 11
In both Windows 10 and Windows 11 we must look for the wifi connection icon on the taskbar. Then we click Propertiesa “i” in a circle to the right of the WiFi name.
We go down and look security typewhere it shows us our WiFi protocol.
Checking on macOS
Checking the WiFi security type in macOS is very simple. Just hold down the Option key and click on the wifi icon on the toolbar.
The details of the network will then be displayed, including the security type in which it is located.
En smartphone o tablet Android
To see the type of security in Android, we must take into account that each manufacturer makes changes to the system, so the route that we are going to discuss may vary slightly depending on the brand of the smartphone.
In general, to check the security type on an Android smartphone, we need to go to Settings > Connections and we open the category WiFi.
Then, we select the router to which we are connected tapping the Properties icon (a gear or a circle) and that is when the WiFi security type will be displayed.
WiFi security type in iOS
Unfortunately, there is no way within iOS to check the security of your WiFi. If we want to know this data we will have to use a computer or another type of mobile. It is a real shame that Apple devices do not provide us with this option.
Now you know all the systems that there are right now for the security of your WiFi and how you can know which one you are using, especially since if you still have the oldest ones, you should seriously consider changing your router or modifying the type of security if it allows you to. .
