WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)

Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 is the IEEE 802.11i-based Wi-Fi security standard introduced in 2004, using AES-CCMP for confidentiality and integrity. WPA2-Enterprise (with 802.1X/EAP and a RADIUS server) remains widely deployed; WPA2-Personal with weak passphrases is vulnerable to offline dictionary attacks and the KRACK protocol-level flaw, both addressed by WPA3.

Categories: Threats and AttacksProtocols and StandardsEncryption and Cryptography

WPA2 in context

Telecom threats range from opportunistic SMS phishing and SIM swap to nation-state grade location tracking and lawful-interception abuse. The common thread is that most attacks exploit the inherited trust model of legacy signaling. SS7 and Diameter were designed for a closed operator community that no longer exists.

Telecom security is written into standards from 3GPP, GSMA, ETSI, IETF and ITU-T. Understanding which body owns which specification, and how the specs interlock (for example 3GPP TS 33.501 with GSMA FS.34 for 5G SBA security), is essential for both design and audit work.

To place WPA2 in the wider telecom-security picture, review WEP, Cipher Downgrade Attack, HLS, IVR, Mediation Device (Lawful Interception) and Operational Security (OPSEC).

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