CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which Wi-Fi standard should generally be avoided due to serious security flaws?

1. WPA3

2. WPA2

3. WPA

4. WEP

The correct answer is: WEP

The designation of WEP as the Wi-Fi standard that should generally be avoided stems from its significant security vulnerabilities. WEP, or Wired Equivalent Privacy, was ratified in 1997, and it was intended to provide a level of security analogous to wired networks at the time. However, over time, various weaknesses in the WEP protocol have been discovered, making it easily exploitable by attackers. The primary issues with WEP include its reliance on static encryption keys that can be intercepted and cracked relatively easily. Tools exist that allow attackers to recover these keys in a matter of minutes. Furthermore, WEP lacks strong authentication mechanisms, which also leave the network susceptible to unauthorized access. These significant flaws render networks using WEP highly vulnerable to eavesdropping and interception of sensitive data. In contrast, the other standards listed—WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2, and WPA3—were developed to address the shortcomings of WEP by providing enhanced security features. WPA introduced dynamic key generation and improved encryption methods, while WPA2 further strengthened these protocols, and WPA3 introduced even more robust security measures. As such, they are generally considered safe for use and are recommended for modern wireless networks, highlighting the importance of moving away from WEP