Wpa3 must protect privacy when using open networks

The Wi-Fi Alliance has released the first details of wpa3. The security technology for Wi-Fi networks should make it easier for users to set up security on devices without a screen and provide protection by default when using open networks.

The Wi-Fi Alliance lists some of the features wpa3 is bringing to home wireless networks and enterprise applications this year. For example, the technology will provide protection, even if users choose weak passwords for their network. In addition, there will be individual encryption of connections to open networks, to protect the privacy of the user. This should probably prevent malicious parties from offering open networks any longer to covertly monitor connections to those networks. Making it easier to configure security on devices with no or limited screens is probably due to the growth of the Internet of Things.

Finally, there will be a “192-bit security suite” specifically for networks that need extra protection, such as those of the government and defense. The alliance does not provide details about the improvements. However, it emphasizes that the security of wpa2 continues to be worked on. With that, the alliance probably hopes that confidence will remain in wpa2, despite the Krack attack revealed last year. Patches were released to protect against those attacks, but wpa3 provides protection against Krack by default.

The Wi-Fi organization predicts that Wi-Fi chipsets based on the 802.11ax standard will appear in 2018. 802.11ax should ensure that network capacity is better utilized and supports mu-mimo for example for uploads. The speed difference between ax and ac can be up to a factor of four. However, a spokesperson told Redmond Pie that the certification will not start until 2019. However, manufacturers already released Wi-Fi products in previous generations before the certification procedure was ready.