Share ThisWireless Security Standards
Part of the Wireless Network Hacks and Mods For Dummies Cheat Sheet
The convenience of wireless networks is also the greatest risk to security. Wireless networks can’t be contained inside your office or house like a wired network, so they’re more vulnerable to a network breach. Security measures, however, make it much harder to do anything with those signals, or compromise your network. Check out this list of security standards for Wi-Fi networks:
| Security Type | Infrastructure Requirements | Security Level |
|---|---|---|
| WEP | WEP-compatible AP and network adapters | Low, easily cracked by active or passive attacks |
| WPA (PSK) | WPA-compatible AP and network adapters | High, vulnerable to password cracking (dictionary) attacks |
| WPA Enterprise | WPA Enterprise-compatible AP and network adapters, RADIUS server | Very high |
| WPA2 (PSK and Enterprise) | WPA2-compatible AP, network adapter (RADIUS for Enterprise) | Extremely high; adds AES (Advanced Encryption System), which could take millions of years to crack with current technology |
