IT Support | Cyber Security | Managed IT Services
Updating your router to WPA3
Updating your Wi-Fi router can be anything from a straight forward task, to a nearly impossible one. Becoming a tormenting pain when you realise your older gadgets won’t connect as a result. In some cases WPA3, the most recent Wi-Fi security standard, doesn’t support older devices and models. The good news is, there are a couple of ways around this problem. The awful news is, you’re more than likely better off just buying a new device(s).
Securing your network
WPA3, or Wi-Fi Protected Access 3, is the successor to WPA2. It provides additional security conventions that keeps your network out of harms way. WPA3 was first presented in 2018, approximately 12 years after WPA2. With the tech world progressing at a nearly lightning pace, 12 years is an extraordinarily long time for any standard to be around, let alone a security standard. The new standard, made mandatory in July 2020 incorporates four key areas its forerunner doesn’t:
- Public network privacy
- Brute-force assault protection
- More connections choices for display-free devices
- Higher security for government, defence, and mechanical applications
Locking out old devices
Devices released around the same time of WPA3 are completely, however, those from earlier periods may have issues. Older models have been provided with updates to connect to WPA3 networks, the problem is, existing devices can’t plan for connections to protocols that don’t exist. Unfortunately, that means many devices, particularly older ones may be unable to install the required updates for WPA3 compatibility. The result, Wi-Fi routers that lock out these devices, and for good reason. Networks are a digital chain only as strong as their weakest link. If updating locks out your device you can downgrade to WAP2 again, but this is not advised as the security won’t be supported by the manufacturer.
