New WPA3 protocol will make it much harder for cybercriminals to hack WiFi connections

• The WPA3 protocol comes with new features such as enhanced cryptographic strength.
• New protocol has specific protections against password-guessing attacks.

The new wireless security protocol WPA3 was launched by the Wi-Fi Alliance earlier this week to bolster security of Wi-Fi connections against threats and attacks. The new Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) protocol has been designed to enhance the security of wireless connections and has several features that are expected to make it much harder for cybercriminals to hack Wi-Fi connections.

The new WPA3 features “simplify Wi-Fi security, enable more robust authentication, and deliver increased cryptographic strength for highly sensitive data markets,” the Wi-Fi Alliance said in a statement.

Personal and enterprise protocols

WPA3 comes in two versions: personal and enterprise. Both versions share several features, including the latest security measures and non-acceptance of legacy security protocols.

However, each version also includes specific features that have been designed keeping in mind the differing requirements of home and enterprise networks.

WPA3’s key features

The new security protocols have been specifically crafted to ensure that users are safe from current and next-gen attacks.

For instance, one of the WPA3’s security enhancements provides protection against password-guessing attacks, including dictionary attacks, which generally involves attackers brute-forcing or repeatedly guessing passwords till they discover the right one.

This protection comes as part of the Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) feature, which also applies to people who choose comparatively simple passwords.

Yet another key feature of the WPA3 involves support for forward secrecy. The feature ensures that even in the event of a compromise, the attackers are unable to decrypt Wi-Fi traffic transmitted before the intrusion.

However, the most important aspect of the new protocols is that they don’t impose any additional burden on the users and are likely to protect from various attacks that currently plague cyberspace.

“WPA3 takes the lead in providing the industry’s strongest protections in the ever-changing security landscape,” said Edgar Figueroa, President and CEO, Wi-Fi Alliance. “WPA3 continues the evolution of Wi-Fi security and maintains the brand promise of Wi-Fi Protected Access.”