The Wi-Fi Alliance has officially started certifying WPA3, the next-generation security standard for wireless networking devices (via Engadget). The new protocol addresses a number of potential vulnerabilities that exist in WPA2 for both personal and enterprise networking environments.

Wi Fi certified
Amongst the enhancements, WPA3-Personal includes a more robust password-based authentication system that reduces the chances of a hacker guessing your password, individualized data encryption to protect against Wi-Fi eavesdropping, and the ability to protect data traffic even if a password is compromised after the data was transmitted.

On the enterprise side, WPA3 also offers an optional mode using 192-bit minimum-strength security protocols, as well as cryptographic tools to better protect sensitive data.

WPA3 also includes new quick-setup options for smart home devices through Easy Connect, a smartphone-based feature for users to set up wireless devices that lack displays.

Support for WPA3 must be built into devices for the protocol to be enabled, so it won't start coming into general use for a while yet. The good news is that WPA3 will retain interoperability with WPA2 devices, so there won't be a need to update every device on the same network.

The Wi-Fi Alliance expects WPA3 certification to increase over the next year, and as adoption grows, the protocol should eventually become a market requirement for all Wi-Fi certified devices.

Top Rated Comments

RightMACatU Avatar
94 months ago
Good news
And please school WiFi routers manufacturers about their default Admin / Admin :p
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
94 months ago
Is there any likelihood of new firmware - incorporating WPA3 - being provided for legacy AirPort devices?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dhess34 Avatar
94 months ago
The ‘WiFi Alliance’ is still a scummy organization. The specs they oversee need to be public/open source (e.g. TLS), so security researchersand academia can pound on their proposed standards. Instead, we’re left with a kludge-y standard where both the previous generations have been shown to have major security flaws. If WiFi was open like TLS is, the security of WPA3 would’ve been in place in WPA2...

But moving these standards into the open would mean the WiFi alliance would lose their cash cow: any WiFi device has to pay them to be tested, and you can’t even sell a product without paying them to use the phrase ‘Wifi’!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pika2000 Avatar
94 months ago
Good news
And please school WiFi routers manufacturers about their default Admin / Admin :p
Actually, that's not the problem as I don't want to search for some random login if I want to reset and re-setup a wifi router.
What should be enforced are forcing the users to change the default admin password once the router is configured. Companies can simply add this steps in the set up process.
[doublepost=1530014519][/doublepost]
Requiring hardware support. Naturally that’ll mean new dongles for Computers that will probably be practically brand new at ratification.

And obsoleting phones that are only months old.

New routers.

Granted it says it’ll permit older devices to connect. But if you want to use the new security protocol, there’s going to be a huge burst of e-waste.

They should work on a firmware update option.
How is this making phones obsolete? It is backward compatible, so one can slowly migrate their hardware to the new standard.

Today, there are plenty of people still using simple 801.11g routers, and plenty of devices only support 2.4GHz wifi. 802.11ac doesn't automatically make those obsolete. Neither will WPA3.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flyinmac Avatar
94 months ago
Requiring hardware support. Naturally that’ll mean new dongles for Computers that will probably be practically brand new at ratification.

And obsoleting phones that are only months old.

New routers.

Granted it says it’ll permit older devices to connect. But if you want to use the new security protocol, there’s going to be a huge burst of e-waste.

They should work on a firmware update option.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sasparilla Avatar
94 months ago
Nice to see these guys pushing along a stronger standard.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...