Connecting to secure wireless networks in Windows 10

Introduction

Though they offer undeniable benefits of mobility, cost and convenience, wireless networks are less desirable from a security perspective. There is always a risk that signals can get intercepted as they traverse through the open air.

Unsecured or “open” wireless networks, like those found in public cafes and airports, offer cybercriminals an easy launching pad for attacks. Sensitive data can be compromised in many different ways on unsecured wireless networks through the use of malware, snooping or man-in-the-middle tactics. 

Given a choice, it is always preferable to restrict your connectivity on Windows 10 devices to fully secured wireless networks. Such networks use various wireless security protocols to encrypt the connections and, more importantly, restrict access to authorized individuals and their devices. 

Different types of wireless security protocols

There are four main types of wireless security protocols currently in existence: WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3. Their evolution was the result of incremental upgrades to wireless network security over the last 22 years pioneered by the Wi-Fi Alliance. 

Though primitive implementations of wireless data technology date back to the 1970s, Wi-Fi as we know it (the 802.11 protocol) first came about in 1997. The earliest Wi-Fi security protocol was also unveiled the same year. 

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WEP — Wired Equivalent Privacy

As the first generation of wireless network security, WEP has been outdated for almost two decades. Due to the simplistic nature of the RC4 Encryption Algorithm used in WEP, hackers could easily crack its security encryption using basic network analysis tools like AirCrack, AirSnort and Kismet. 

When it comes to WPE and Windows 10, the protocol is no longer supported by default due to its deprecated status. This has been the case since at least Windows 7. You can still use the protocol while creating a (Read more...)