A very short overview of Wireless Security Protocols including WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3. For each of them we’ll try to point out both their strengths and weaknesses and describe some of the possible attacks. We’ll include cryptography details of each protocol at some other post/time, including execution of individual attacks (step by step). For Read More »Wireless Security Protocols. WPA tends to use TKIP and WPA2 uses AES encryption. Both these methods Apple call WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal. AES is preferred as it is more secure and recent exploits of TKIP have led to it being slowly phased out just like WEP which should not be used at all. Even if you know you need to secure your Wi-Fi network (and have already done so), you probably find all the security protocol acronyms a little bit puzzling. Read on as we highlight the differences between protocols like WEP, WPA, and WPA2—and why it matters which acronym you slap on your home Wi-Fi network.
A new Apple Knowledge base document notes that Wi-Fi data rates will not exceed 54 Mbps when using WEP or WPA. The note suggests switching to WPA2 connectivity for faster speeds. This switch may work to resolve iPad Wi-Fi speed issues, as noted in our iPad Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide.
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Apple’s Knowledge base document states:
“To allow the maximum 802.11n rates, ensure that your router or Wi-Fi Base Station is configured to use WPA2 or, alternatively, no password. For security purposes, it is recommended that you select WPA2 Personal when configuring your Wi-Fi Base Station. Note: AirPort Utility will not allow you to select WEP or WPA as an 802.11n option. It will only let you select WPA/WPA2 Personal or WPA2Personal for general home use.”
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For AirPort base stations, this setting can be switched using the AirPort Utility. For third-party routers, follow these steps:
- Login to your router’s configuration page by opening a browser window and entering the address 192.168.1.1 (you may need to enter the username and password, which by default for many routers are: username: admin and password: password1)
- Change the security setting to WPA2
- Apply the changes, which will cause your router to reset
Feedback? [email protected].
Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.
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In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.