Fortunately, most WLANs that can run WPA3 also support the older standard. This enables end devices that are WPA3-compatible to use the more advanced security standard, while all other devices can continue to connect to the Wi-Fi network with WPA2 protection.
WPA3 Personal is the newest, most secure protocol currently available for Wi-Fi devices. It works with all devices that support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and some older devices.
Secondly, if you have an older router, but not too old, that can get WPA3 with a firmware update, you're in luck. WPA3 is a software-based upgrade over WPA2, and many routers can support it with firmware updates.
Tip: You can also check to see if your device supports WPA3 by opening the Command Prompt, and then typing the command netsh wlan show drivers. Look under Authentication and cipher supported in infrastructure mode and see if it includes WPA3-Personal.
WPA3 is supported on the following Apple devices: iPhone 7 or later. iPad 5th generation or later.
If compatible, you only need to update the firmware to enjoy WPA3 Wi-Fi with WPA3-supported devices—no need to purchase a new router.
Should you use WPA3. If your router supports WPA3, it should definitely be enabled. This will increase the security level of the internal network, and at the same time will allow you to use the latest technological solutions.
However, WPA3 and WPA2 requires more processing power than WPA to protect your WiFi network, so you need more powerful hardware. As for the data encryption speed, WPA vs WPA2 vs WPA3, WPA3 is fastest while WPA is the slowest.
WPA3 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi security, bringing simplicity, backwards compatibility, and enhanced security.
Note: Currently, only AX series provides WPA3-Personal features, and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands support WPA3-Personal option.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, WPA3 won't run on just any wireless hardware and software. The standard relies on Protected Management Frames, which often require users to update their hardware with chips engineered to support the technology.
To enable WPA3-SAE, navigate to Wireless > Configure > Access control > Security and change the WPA encryption selection to WPA3 only.
Setting your Wi-Fi router to use only WPA3 is likely to cause connection issues for older devices that do not support the newer Wi-Fi encryption standard.
Wi-Fi 6 also means better security
Current devices and routers can support WPA3, but it's optional. For a Wi-Fi 6 device to receive certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance, WPA3 is required, so most Wi-Fi 6 devices are likely to include the stronger security once the certification program launches.
Rather than relying on shared passwords, WPA3 signs up new devices through processes that don't require the use of a shared password. This new system, called Wi-Fi Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP), works by transmitting how to gain access to the system without transmitting a password into the air.
Stronger encryption
WPA2 requires a 64-bit or 128-bit encryption key. But WPA3 uses a 192-bit encryption security suite for protecting WiFi users' networks with higher security requirements, such as government, industrial organisations and defence. Better encryption is better for us all!
Router age
Many experts suggest that if you don't use that many smart devices around your home, you can probably get away with replacing your router every five years.
What supports WPA3? Support for WPA3 was added by Google in Android 10. Zebra Android models that support running Android 10,11 or later, support WPA3. Examples MC9300, MC33x, TC52, TC57, TC72, TC77, ET51, ET56, CC6000, and L10.
When choosing from among WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 wireless security protocols, experts agree WPA3 is best for Wi-Fi security. As the most up-to-date wireless encryption protocol, WPA3 is the most secure choice.
While WPA3 is a significant step forward, it has shown vulnerabilities in its first year of activity. WPA3's handshake process (nicknamed Dragonfly) has been affected by password partitioning attacks, which can allow network attackers to steal passcodes and phrases under the right conditions using side-channel attacks.
WPA3 makes further security improvements that make it harder to break into networks by guessing passwords; it also makes it impossible to decrypt data captured in the past i.e., before the key (password) was cracked.
Should You Continue Using a Router With WEP or WPA? If your network is either WEP or WPA (without any numbers after it), then you're at risk of a cyber-attack. If your router doesn't support at least WPA2, you'll want to secure yourself by upgrading to a WPA2 or WPA3-compatible router as soon as possible.