Difference between WPA and WPA2

The first Wi-Fi networks worked only with WEP key encryption and key exchange technology, based on RC4 encryption with key exchange between certain intervals.

The new 802.11i scope, unlike what exists (802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n) is not a standard for defining the technology, but rather the security criteria for establishing it on these technologies.

They saw that with the advancement of the network, working with a simple key with interchange between intervals would be very insecure, so they applied some rules that with a simple change in the firmware of any wi-fi router, it would be possible to use the first version of WPA.

Yes, WPA is based on the same hardware where WEP some time ago was the only method for connection, simply updating the router to increase the security level of the technology.

The applicability was possible due to changes in the security topology, and the network key started to be used only in the negotiation of a second major key generated between the access points, making it difficult for an attacker to access.

Another major improvement was that now the keys would no longer be transported within specific packages (also known as IVs), and these in turn are also part of the network encryption used.

The technology until then used a simple encryption technology, called TKIP, simple because it supports modest hardware and capable of being more secure than the previous version.

Then, to further increase the security of wi-fi networks, a new model called WPA2 was created, which is nothing more than the implementation of AES encryption, which is much more secure than the previous one, however it requires hardware devices capable of support this technology.

This means that if you have a router that supports only the WEP network, you can upgrade to WPA, but you probably won't be able to upgrade to WPA2 if you use modest hardware, if you use it, you may experience problems using the network.

The main factor of the wi-fi network getting a very large "lag" in certain cases, is caused exactly because the router's processor is unable to encrypt and decrypt the data in AES encryption technology in a timely manner, so in this case the ideal is purchase a router with better hardware or use TKIP with a larger startup key (your wifi password).

Many routers do not have WPA2 information, however it is automatically present when selecting standard AES encryption, and disabled when using TKIP technology.

No matter how secure they are, they are not yet safe against brute force systems, which are trying to access the network through dictionaries and / or possible character generation systems, so for this reason, it is recommended to use a strong password, and avoid use dictionary words.

The bigger the key to your network, the more difficult it will be for someone to improperly access your network.