What Security Type Is My Wi-Fi? How to Check (2026)

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Every Wi-Fi network uses a security protocol to encrypt the data traveling between your devices and your router. That protocol determines how hard it is for someone nearby to intercept your traffic, crack your password, or join your network without permission. The four main types are WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, and each one offers a very different level of protection.

Knowing what security type your Wi-Fi uses takes about 30 seconds on any device. If you find out your network is still running WEP or the original WPA, your traffic is barely protected. This guide shows you how to check your Wi-Fi security type on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and your router’s admin panel, then explains what each protocol does and how to upgrade if needed.

What Are the Different Wi-Fi Security Types

Wi-Fi security has gone through four generations since wireless networking became mainstream. Each new protocol fixed the weaknesses of the one before it, but older protocols stuck around because routers and devices kept supporting them for backward compatibility.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) was introduced in 1997 as part of the original 802.11 standard. It used a static encryption key that every device on the network shared, and the encryption itself (RC4 with a 24-bit initialization vector) turned out to be deeply flawed. By 2001, researchers published tools that could crack a WEP key in minutes. The Wi-Fi Alliance officially retired WEP in 2004, but some very old routers still offer it as an option.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) arrived in 2003 as an emergency replacement for WEP. It introduced TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol), which generated a new encryption key for every packet instead of reusing the same static key. WPA was a major improvement over WEP, but TKIP still relied on the same underlying RC4 cipher and had its own vulnerabilities. By 2012, TKIP was considered insecure.

WPA2 became the standard in 2004 and remains the most widely used protocol in 2026. It replaced TKIP with AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) using CCMP, which is far stronger. WPA2-Personal uses a shared password, while WPA2-Enterprise uses individual credentials verified through a RADIUS server. The main weakness of WPA2-Personal is that it’s vulnerable to offline dictionary attacks if someone captures the four-way handshake during a device connection.

WPA3 launched in 2018 and is required on all Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 certified devices. It replaces the four-way handshake with SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals), which prevents offline dictionary attacks entirely. Even if someone captures the connection handshake, they cannot run password guesses against it later. WPA3 also provides forward secrecy, meaning that cracking one session’s encryption doesn’t expose past or future sessions.

How to Check Wi-Fi Security Type on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows shows your Wi-Fi security type directly in the network settings. The steps are slightly different between Windows 10 and Windows 11, but both take under a minute.

On Windows 11:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner of the screen).
2. Click the small arrow next to the Wi-Fi toggle to see available networks.
3. Find the network you’re connected to and click the (i) properties icon next to it, or go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
4. Click your connected network name.
5. Scroll down to Properties. The Security type field shows the protocol (WPA2-Personal, WPA3-Personal, etc.).

On Windows 10:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray.
2. Click Properties under the connected network name.
3. Scroll down to the Properties section. Look for the Security type line. It will say something like “WPA2-Personal (AES)” or “WPA3-SAE.”

You can also check using Command Prompt. Open Command Prompt and type netsh wlan show interfaces. The output includes a line labeled “Authentication” that shows the security protocol, and a “Cipher” line that shows the encryption method (CCMP for AES, TKIP for older WPA).

How to Check Wi-Fi Security Type on Mac

macOS makes this information available in two places, and both methods work on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia.

Method 1 – System Settings:

1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
2. Click Network in the sidebar, then click Wi-Fi.
3. Click Details next to the connected network name.
4. The Security row shows the protocol your network uses (WPA2 Personal, WPA3 Personal, WPA2/WPA3, etc.).

Method 2 – Menu bar shortcut:

1. Hold the Option key on your keyboard.
2. While holding Option, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
3. A detailed dropdown appears. Look for the Security line under the connected network. It shows the exact protocol and encryption type.

The Option-click method is the fastest way to check on a Mac. It also displays other useful details like the BSSID, channel, RSSI signal strength, and noise level, all in the same dropdown.

How to Check Wi-Fi Security Type on iPhone and iPad

Apple added Wi-Fi security details to iOS starting with iOS 14. On any iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 or later, you can check in a few taps.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the blue (i) icon next to your connected network name.
4. The detail screen does not explicitly list the security type, but it does show a warning if the security is weak.

If your network uses WEP, WPA, or WPA2 with TKIP, iOS displays a “Weak Security” warning directly below the network name on the Wi-Fi settings screen. Tapping into the network details shows a message explaining the issue and recommending WPA2 (AES) or WPA3.

If you see no security warning, your network is running WPA2 with AES or WPA3, both of which iOS considers acceptable. To see the exact protocol, you’ll need to check from a computer or your router’s admin panel instead.

How to Check Wi-Fi Security Type on Android

Android shows the security protocol in the Wi-Fi settings, though the exact menu path varies slightly by phone manufacturer. These steps work on stock Android 13, 14, and 15, and are similar on Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus devices.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet (or Connections on Samsung).
3. Tap Wi-Fi (or Internet on Pixel phones).
4. Tap the gear icon or the network name next to your connected network.
5. Look for the Security field. It typically shows WPA2-PSK, WPA3-SAE, or a similar label.

On Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI, the path is Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, then tap the gear icon next to the connected network. The security type appears near the top of the details screen. Some Samsung models also show the frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and link speed on the same screen.

How to Check Wi-Fi Security Type on Your Router

Your router’s admin panel shows the security settings for every wireless network it broadcasts. This is the most reliable way to check because it shows what the router is actually configured to use, not just what your device reports.

1. Open a web browser on a device connected to the router.
2. Type your router’s IP address in the address bar. The most common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. Check the sticker on the bottom of your router if none of these work.
3. Log in with your router’s admin username and password. The default credentials are usually on the same sticker as the IP address. If you changed them and forgot, you may need to reset the router.
4. Navigate to the Wireless or Wi-Fi Settings section.
5. Look for a field labeled Security Mode, Authentication Type, or Encryption. This shows the active protocol (WPA2-PSK, WPA2/WPA3, WPA3-SAE, etc.).

Most modern routers have separate security settings for each band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Make sure to check both. Some routers default to WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode, which lets WPA3-capable devices use WPA3 while older devices fall back to WPA2. This is the best option if you have a mix of old and new devices on your network.

How to Upgrade from WEP or WPA to WPA2 or WPA3

If your network is running WEP or WPA, you should upgrade as soon as possible. Both protocols have known exploits that let attackers crack your network password or decrypt your traffic using freely available tools. The upgrade process takes a few minutes in your router’s admin panel.

1. Log into your router’s admin panel (see the steps in the section above).
2. Go to Wireless Settings or Wi-Fi Security.
3. Change the security mode from WEP or WPA-TKIP to WPA2-AES (also called WPA2-PSK with AES or WPA2-CCMP). If your router supports it, choose WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode or WPA3-SAE.
4. Set a strong Wi-Fi password. Use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid dictionary words and common phrases.
5. Save the settings. The router will restart its wireless radios, which disconnects all devices briefly.
6. Reconnect all your devices using the new password.

If your router only offers WEP and WPA with no WPA2 option, the router is too old to support modern security. Routers manufactured before 2006 often lack WPA2 support entirely. In this case, the only real fix is replacing the router. Any current router from TP-Link, Netgear, Asus, or other major brands supports WPA2 and WPA3 out of the box.

After upgrading, some very old devices might not be able to connect. Wi-Fi devices from before 2006 may only support WEP. Game consoles like the original Nintendo DS and early IoT gadgets sometimes only work with WPA-TKIP. If you have devices like these, consider setting up a separate guest network with WPA2 for those devices and keeping your main network on WPA3.

WEP vs WPA vs WPA2 vs WPA3 Security Comparison

Each Wi-Fi security protocol handles encryption, authentication, and key exchange differently. The table below breaks down the practical differences that matter when choosing which one to run on your network.

The single biggest improvement in WPA3 is the SAE handshake. With WPA2, an attacker who captures the four-way handshake between your device and the router can take that data home and run millions of password guesses per second against it offline. With WPA3, each authentication attempt must happen in real time with the router, making brute-force attacks impractical regardless of password strength.

Wi-Fi Security Type FAQs

What Wi-Fi security type should I use in 2026?

Use WPA3-Personal if all your devices support it. If you have older devices that only work with WPA2, use WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode (also called WPA3 Transition Mode). This lets newer devices connect with WPA3 protection while older devices fall back to WPA2. Avoid WEP and WPA entirely, as both are considered broken and offer minimal real protection against modern tools.

Does my router support WPA3?

Most routers sold since 2020 support WPA3, especially if they are Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E certified. Check your router’s admin panel under wireless security settings. If WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 appears as an option, your router supports it. Some older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) routers received WPA3 through firmware updates, so updating your router’s firmware is worth trying if you don’t see the option.

Why does my iPhone say weak security for my Wi-Fi?

Your iPhone displays “Weak Security” when your Wi-Fi network uses WEP, WPA, or WPA2 with TKIP encryption. Apple considers these protocols outdated because they have known vulnerabilities. To fix the warning, log into your router’s admin panel and change the security mode to WPA2-AES or WPA2/WPA3. After saving the change and reconnecting your iPhone, the warning will disappear.

Can someone hack my Wi-Fi if I use WPA2?

WPA2 with AES encryption is still strong in 2026, but it is not unbreakable. An attacker within Wi-Fi range can capture the connection handshake and attempt to guess your password offline. If your password is short, common, or based on a dictionary word, it can be cracked in hours using modern GPUs. A long, random password (16 or more characters) makes this attack impractical. Upgrading to WPA3 eliminates the offline attack vector entirely.

What is the difference between WPA2-Personal and WPA2-Enterprise?

WPA2-Personal uses a single shared password that everyone on the network knows. WPA2-Enterprise gives each user their own username and password, verified through a RADIUS authentication server. Enterprise mode is more secure because compromising one user’s credentials doesn’t expose the entire network, and you can revoke individual access without changing the password for everyone. Home networks almost always use Personal mode. Businesses and universities typically use Enterprise.

Is WPA3 backward compatible with WPA2 devices?

Not directly. A network set to WPA3-only mode will reject devices that only support WPA2. However, most routers offer a WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode (Transition Mode) that accepts both types of connections. Devices that support WPA3 connect with the stronger protocol, while older WPA2-only devices connect using WPA2. The WPA2 devices don’t get the benefits of WPA3’s SAE handshake, but they can still use the network.

See also: Wi-Fi Security Protocols Explained, How to Fix Weak Security Wi-Fi on iPhone, How to Set Up a Wi-Fi Router

Sources:

• Wi-Fi Alliance – Discover Wi-Fi Security
• NIST SP 800-153 – Guidelines for Securing Wireless Local Area Networks
• Microsoft Support – Connect to a Wi-Fi Network in Windows
• Apple Support – Recommended Settings for Wi-Fi Routers and Access Points
• Wi-Fi Alliance – Wi-Fi Certified WPA3