What does WPA2 use for encryption purposes?

WPA2, or Wi-Fi Protected Access II, utilizes Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for encryption, specifically with the Counter Mode with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP). This combination is crucial for the security of wireless networks as it provides strong encryption, data integrity, and authentication.

AES is a symmetric encryption algorithm that is widely regarded for its efficiency and security. It operates on 128-bit block sizes, and WPA2 implements it with a key size of either 128 bits, 192 bits, or 256 bits, although in practice, most implementations use 128-bit keys. CCMP, which is based on AES, enhances network security by incorporating both encryption and a method for ensuring that the data has not been tampered with.

The strength of WPA2 comes from the use of AES, which is more secure than the alternatives found in previous protocols, such as TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) employed by WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). AES with CCMP is resistant to common attacks, making it the preferred choice for securing wireless communications.