WPA3 and Enhanced Open: The Future of Wireless Security for Public Networks

Captive portals are a standard method to secure public networks, but they can be inconvenient for users and pose a security risk. A captive portal requires users to authenticate themselves by typically providing some registration information before accessing the network. Captive portals are also vulnerable to phishing attacks and other types of social engineering, where hackers can steal login credentials.

WPA3 and Enhanced Open are the new standards in wireless network security that provide robust security for public networks. They address the biggest problem with open, insecure public networks by providing advanced encryption algorithms and secure connectivity options. Using WPA3 and Enhanced Open, public networks can be made safer, protecting users’ sensitive information from hackers and other malicious actors.

Enhanced Open offers a more secure Wi-Fi captive portal. It uses a technique called Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) to encrypt all wireless communications, even for open networks that do not require a password. This means that user’s data will be secure and protected from hackers even when connected to an open network.

For example, when users connect to an open network that supports Enhanced Open, their device automatically initiates a secure connection using OWE. This secure connection will be established using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 256-bit key. This provides the same level of security as a WPA3-protected network without the need for a password.

Enhanced Open also supports the use of a feature called “Extended Authentication” (EA), which allows the network to authenticate the user’s device before allowing access to the network. This can be done using various methods, such as certificate-based authentication (Passpoint) or a device’s MAC address. This provides an additional layer of security and helps prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the network.

Enhanced Open Wi-Fi provides a secure and convenient improvement to captive portals. Encrypting all wireless communications and providing device authentication options offers robust security for open public networks, making it a more secure option for users. While captive portals are still widely used, Enhanced Open will be the new standard for wireless security in public networks and will provide users with more convenience, security and protection.