Is Your WiFi Network Properly Protected?

When you setup your home's Wi-Fi, you most likely used Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a feature designed to simplify the process of connecting devices to a Wi-Fi network and is therefor the most common method. Its primary purpose is to make it easier for users to set up a secure wireless network without having to manually enter complex encryption keys (like the WPA2 passphrase) on each device. WPS is commonly found on routers, access points, and many Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

While WPS was developed with the intention of simplifying the setup process, it has faced criticism due to security vulnerabilities. The PIN method, in particular, has been found to be susceptible to brute force attacks, where an attacker systematically tries all possible combinations until the correct PIN is found. As a result, security experts often recommend disabling WPS on routers and using more secure methods for connecting devices to Wi-Fi networks, such as manually entering strong passphrases.

If your router supports WPS and you decide to use it, it's essential to be aware of the potential security risks and to ensure that your router's firmware is up to date. If security concerns are paramount, it may be advisable to disable WPS altogether and rely on traditional methods of securing your Wi-Fi network, such as using strong encryption protocols and passphrases.

For ideas on properly encrypting your home's Wi-Fi network, read our article here, where we outline 10 simple ways to achieve this.