We explain the difference between WPA and WPA2 with table. After the introduction of WPA, companies still faced hacking problems, and called for a better security algorithm. Hence, WPA2 was born with better features. The difference between WPA and WPA2 is its security algorithm. WPA2 is a better version of wireless security compared to WPA. Difference between WPA and WPA2
The Internet is a necessity in the modern world, it has made the distances between people disappear and it has facilitated access to things. A day without the Internet is unimaginable.
Where the Internet has made things easier for its users, its negative impacts cannot be overlooked. There are risks of hacking, personal data can be hacked by professionals, although ethical hacking is available, but people use it illegally.
Wi-Fi is a wireless technology used for devices such as laptops, computers, phones, or tablets to access the Internet. It was invented in 1997. Its technological features and easy access made it famous. Difference between WPA and WPA2
Wi-Fi was convenient, as the network was maintained by wireless technology, but later, this wireless technology faced the problem of hacking. Unencrypted networks can be easily hacked.
Many companies faced problems and even the local population as personal data could easily be hacked. So to eliminate this problem, a security algorithm was introduced to keep the wireless network safe which was WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
WEP was successful in providing an encrypted network, but as technology got updated, hackers were able to hack into this encrypted network.
In 2003, WEP was formally replaced by a better version of the security algorithm which was WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). This system provided greater security compared to WEP.
Comparison table between WPA and WPA2 (in tabular form)
WPA WPA2 comparison parameters
| Security algorithm | TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) | AES (advanced encryption standard) |
| Release year | Released 2003 | Released 2006 |
| Limitations | New techniques introduced for hacking by hackers. | It takes a long time to process. |
| Higher | Higher than WEP. | Higher than WPA. |
| Software support | Supports older software. | Supports only new software. |
What is WPA?
Wi-Fi Protected Access or WPA is a security standard introduced for users of computing devices equipped with wireless Internet connections. This security system provided more improved encryption.
WPA completely replaced the WEP security standards in 2003. All Wi-Fi connections made in the last decade are compatible with the WPA system.
With an unencrypted network, it is possible to use a packet sniffer to see the data coming through the network. therefore, WPA was introduced to curb this problem.
With the use of WPA, an encryption was provided to a network that made the information private by encrypting the text so that it would not make sense to the hacker.
Additionally, WPA used 256-bit keys while, like the previous network, WEP used 64-bit to 128-bit keys. This was a massive change in both systems. The longer the key, the more difficult it becomes for hackers.
Other important distinguishing features are: –
- It included the integrity of the message.
- Use of TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol).
According to TKIP, each network was provided with a pocket key system that is more secure than the fixed key system used by WEP. However, it was replaced by a more advanced system which was AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).
Even the hacking process is difficult under WPA security standards because it cannot be hacked directly, furthermore, due to the use of high bit keys, it will take several hours for a hacker to hack into a system.
It does not support companies. Although it is compatible with older software, it is considered suitable for older devices.
What is WPA2?
WPA2 is an abbreviation for Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, this is a security standard used to provide encryption to the wireless Internet connection. It can be seen as a better version of WPA.
WPA2 officially came into use in 2006. Until then, WPA was still in use, probably because WPA2 was more expensive than WPA.
WPA2 has two versions, those are: –
- WPA2 Personal – Protects unauthorized access to the network using a password setting.
- WPA2 Enterprise – verifies network users through a server.
The most distinctive feature of WPA2 is that it has replaced TKIP with AES (Advanced Encryption Standards) and CCMP (Blockchain Message Authentication Code Protocol Encryption Counter Mode) algorithm.
This security system is preferred by most companies. This is also a default setting on routers today. WPA2 is generally preferred for home routers with pre-shared WPA keys.
With a stronger network, WPA2 also has some limitations. Those are:-
- There are WPA and WPA2 problems that interfere with each other, this creates network problems due to connection failures.
- WPA2 needs additional processing which somewhere slows down network performance.
WPA2 has the distinctive feature of providing personal and business encryption differently, although it can slow down the old device as it requires a lot of processing power.
Main differences between WPA and WPA2
- WPA2 provides a stronger security system than WPA.
- WPA uses TKIP while WPA2 uses AES.
- WPA2 is more difficult or cannot be hacked, while WPA is relatively easy to hack.
- WPA was released in 2003, while WPA2 was released in 2006.
- WPA2 requires more processing than WPA.
Final Thought
WPA and WPA2 are security standards. WPA2 is a better version of WPA.
They allow the network to function without fear of hacking.
WPA replaced WEP and WPA2 replaced WPA. They both use different algorithms but both try to provide encryption to wireless networks. WA2 with AES is preferred for home routers.
