Description: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a security protocol designed to secure wireless networks, providing a layer of protection that prevents unauthorized access and data interception. WPA was developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance in response to the vulnerabilities of the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) protocol, which was previously used. This protocol employs more robust encryption methods, such as TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) and, in more recent versions, AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), significantly enhancing the security of wireless connections. WPA also implements an authentication system that verifies the identity of users before granting them access to the network. The evolution of WPA has led to the creation of WPA2 and WPA3, which offer even more improvements in terms of security and efficiency. In a world where wireless connectivity is ubiquitous, WPA has become an essential standard for protecting sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of communications in Wi-Fi networks, both in home and business environments.
History: WPA was introduced in 2003 by the Wi-Fi Alliance as a temporary solution to address the weaknesses of the WEP protocol. In 2004, WPA2 was released, which incorporated the AES encryption standard, providing enhanced security. In 2018, WPA3 was introduced, which brought new features such as stronger authentication and protection against brute-force attacks.
Uses: WPA is primarily used in home and business Wi-Fi networks to protect information transmitted over wireless connections. It is common in routers, access points, and mobile devices that require a secure Internet connection.
Examples: An example of WPA usage is in a home network where the router is configured to use WPA2, ensuring that only authorized devices can connect and that transmitted information is encrypted. Another example is in business environments, where WPA is used to protect communication between employees and servers.
