Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 is a network security technology widely used on Wi-Fi wireless networks. It is an upgrade to the original WPA technology, which was designed as a replacement for the older and less secure WEP. WPA2 has been used on all certified Wi-Fi hardware since 2006 and is based on the IEEE 802.11i technology standard for data encryption.
WiFi (Wireless) Password Security – WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3, WPS Explained
When WPA2 is enabled with the strongest encryption option, anyone within range of the network may be able to see the traffic, but the traffic is encrypted using the latest encryption standards.
The abbreviations WPA2, WPA, and WEP can be confusing because they are so similar that it doesn’t matter which one you choose to secure your network. However, there are differences.
The least secure is WEP, which offers security equal to that of a wired connection. WEP transmits messages via radio waves and is easy to crack. This is because the same encryption key is used for each data packet. If enough data is analyzed by an eavesdropper, the key can be found with automated software (within a few minutes). It is best to avoid WEP.
