While the WPA2 Wi-Fi security standard has served web-users well ever since it was introduced in 2004, there are some notable issues with it that have led to vulnerability issues.
To solve this, the Wi-Fi Alliance developed WPA3 in 2018, aiming to create a new security system that addressed the chinks in WPA2's armor. It was a success, but the problem was that support for the new network protection was slow to come.
However, thanks to the arrival of the brand new Wi-Fi 6 network standard on routers like the eero Pro 6, WPA3 is finally making its way to the mainstream since it's a requirement for all Wi-Fi 6 routers.
Here's how WPA3 will keep your network safe without compromising any of the speed and stability that Wi-Fi 6 brings to the table.
Protection against brute force hacking
For years, hackers have used software that guesses passwords millions of times in seconds to try and get past WPA2 protection. This is called brute force hacking or dictionary hacking, and it can often be successful if a password is simple and short.
Longer and more complex passwords will take longer for the software to crack, but as long as the hacker has the time to let the software run, even lengthy, complicated passwords can fall victim to brute force hacks.
Thankfully, with WPA3, the Wi-Fi Alliance implemented a feature that limits how many times your password can be guessed every second.
This effectively grinds the speed of brute force hacking software to a halt and ensures that brute force hacking will be significantly more time-consuming to perform than before. Combined with a good password, WPA3's anti-brute force hacking measures ensure that it will largely become ineffective.
Individualized encryption provides another layer of security
Another flaw with WPA2 is that, once a hacker guesses a network’s password, they can then see everything people are doing on that network because all data on WPA2 networks is encrypted with that same password.
WPA3 solves this problem by giving each user's network activity data its own randomized encryption, effectively preventing hackers from seeing everything people are doing just by guessing the network's password correctly.
Essentially, WPA3 adds another security layer to networks, making it even less likely that intrusion attempts will be successful.
Forward secrecy guards past traffic
Finally, WPA3 introduces forward secrecy, a feature that keeps past data traffic encrypted.
This is important for situations where a hacker gains access to a network after sensitive data has been transmitted, as with forward secrecy, that sensitive data will now be safeguarded effectively.
Enjoy these features without compromises
Perhaps the best part about WPA3 is that none of its new security improvements impact other aspects of your network in the slightest, meaning that you can enjoy the other benefits of a Wi-Fi 6 network without any issues.
In fact, in addition to top-notch WPA3 security, Wi-Fi 6 routers like the eero Pro 6 provide you with industry-leading Wi-Fi speed, bandwidth, range, and stability (as long as you're using a Wi-Fi 6-compatible device, of course).
The eero Pro 6 specifically comes with 2,000 square feet of coverage, dual ethernet ports, and a simple setup process, making it a stellar choice for Wi-Fi on the homefront.
