What type of attack is WPA3 designed to prevent through its authentication method?

WPA3 is specifically designed to enhance security over its predecessor, WPA2, and one of the key features is its ability to prevent dictionary attacks through a new authentication method called Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE).

Dictionary attacks involve an attacker attempting to guess a password by systematically entering every word in a predefined list. WPA3’s implementation of SAE introduces a more robust mechanism for handling password-based authentication, which means that even if a weak password is chosen, the protocol resists these types of attacks much better than prior methods.

This is achieved because SAE uses a key establishment protocol that involves both parties proving knowledge of the password without sending it directly over the network, thus greatly complicating efforts to acquire the password through a dictionary attack. In comparison to other attack types, WPA3’s focus on preventing dictionary attacks is crucial for maintaining the integrity of security in wireless networks.