What Is Wpa; What Is Wpa-Psk; What Is Wpa2 - ZyXEL Communications SBG3300 series User Manual

What is WPA?

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a subset of the IEEE 802.11i security specification
draft. Key difference between WPA and WEP are user authentication and improved
data encryption.

What is WPA-PSK?

WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) can be used if users do not have a
RADIUS server but still want to benefit from WPA security, because WPA-PSK only
requires a single password to be entered on wireless AP/gateway and wireless client.
As long as the passwords match, a client will be granted access to the WLAN.

What is WPA2?

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) offers a higher security level than WPA, because it
introduces an AES-based algorithm and CCMP in it and offers stronger encryption
then WPA uses (TKIP). WPA2 encryption keys that are used for each client on the
network are unique and specific to that client. Eventually, each packet which is sent
over the air is encrypted with a unique key. The higher security is enhanced with the
use of a new and unique encryption key because there is no key reuse.