How to hack a wifi network protected with wpa/wpa2 protocol using Kali Linux

Violating a protected Wi-Fi network may seem like a criminal activity, but it is actually a common practice among cybersecurity experts. The main goal of violating a Wi-Fi network is to test its security and identify any vulnerabilities. This helps network owners improve their security and prevent unauthorized access.

To violate a protected Wi-Fi network, specific tools and techniques are required. One of the most common methods involves using Kali Linux, one of the favorite operating systems among cybersecurity professionals.

How does the WPA/WPA2 protocol work?

Before proceeding with violating a protected Wi-Fi network, it is important to understand how the WPA/WPA2 protocol works. This protocol was created to ensure the security of Wi-Fi networks by protecting them from unauthorized access.

The WPA/WPA2 protocol uses a pre-shared key (PSK) to authenticate users who connect to the network. The pre-shared key is created by the network owner and must be entered every time a new device tries to access the network.

• WPA: supports TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption.
• WPA2: supports only AES encryption.

Although the WPA/WPA2 protocol is considered secure, it can be violated using specific tools and techniques. In this article, we will see how to use Kali Linux to violate a protected Wi-Fi network with the WPA/WPA2 protocol.

Preparing the operating system with Kali Linux

Before starting to violate a protected Wi-Fi network with the WPA/WPA2 protocol using Kali Linux, it is necessary to prepare the operating system. In this article, we will guide you through the necessary steps to install and configure Kali Linux.

1. Download Kali Linux

The first step is to download the Kali Linux ISO image from the official website. You can choose between the 32-bit or 64-bit version, depending on your computer's specifications.

2. Create a bootable USB drive

After downloading the Kali Linux ISO image, you need to create a bootable USB drive. There are several tools available to do this, such as Rufus or UNetbootin.

• To create a bootable USB drive with Rufus:
• Insert your USB flash drive into your computer and open Rufus.
• In the "Device" section, select your USB flash drive.
• In the "Image" section, select the Kali Linux ISO image that you previously downloaded.
• Click "Start" to begin the process of creating the bootable USB drive.
• To create a bootable USB drive with UNetbootin:
• Insert your USB flash drive into your computer and open UNetbootin.
• In the "Distribution" section, select Kali Linux.
• In the "Version" section, select the version of Kali Linux that you previously downloaded.
• Click on "Browse" to select the Kali Linux ISO image that you previously downloaded.
• Click on "OK" to start the process of creating the bootable USB drive.

3. Boot Kali Linux from the USB Drive

After creating the bootable USB drive, you need to boot your computer from it. To do so, you need to access your computer's BIOS and change the boot order so that the USB drive is the first boot device. Once you have done this, save the settings and restart your computer with the USB drive inserted.

4. Configuring Kali Linux

After booting Kali Linux from the USB drive, you need to configure it to use your wifi network. You can do this using either the graphical interface or command line.

• To configure your wifi network using the graphical interface:
• Click on the network icon in the application bar and select your wifi network from the list of available networks.
• Enter your wifi network password when prompted.
• To configure your wifi network using command line:
• Open the terminal and type "ifconfig" to view a list of available network interfaces.
• Find the wireless interface and type "ifconfig [wifi_interface_name] up" to activate the wireless interface.
• Type "iwlist [wifi_interface_name] scan" to search for available wifi networks.
• Type "iwconfig [wifi_interface_name] essid [network_name]" to connect to your wifi network.
• Enter your wifi network password when prompted.

Now that you have configured Kali Linux, you are ready to crack a wifi network protected with wpa/wpa2 protocol. However, please note that these techniques may be illegal if used without authorization. Use this information for educational purposes only.

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Using the Aircrack-ng tool for password cracking

After capturing the traffic file, we can use the Aircrack-ng tool to attempt to crack the password.

First, let's open a terminal window and type the following command:

• Aircrack-ng filename.cap

Where "filename.cap" represents the name of the capture file that we previously saved. Aircrack-ng will analyze the file for the necessary information to try to crack the password.

Depending on the strength of the password and Wi-Fi signal quality, this process may take several minutes or even hours. Once the analysis is complete, Aircrack-ng will display a list of all Wi-Fi networks present in the capture file and their security information.

To attempt to crack the password, we need to specify the target Wi-Fi network using the following command:

• Aircrack-ng -w wordlist.txt -b BSSID filename.cap

Where "wordlist.txt" represents the file containing a list of keywords (or dictionary) to use in attempting to crack the password, "BSSID" represents the MAC address of the target Wi-Fi network, and "filename.cap" is the capture file that we saved earlier.

Aircrack-ng will then perform a dictionary attack, meaning it will try all the keywords in the list until it finds the correct one. If the password is present in the dictionary, the attack will be successful and Aircrack-ng will display the found password.

Keep in mind that this process can take a long time, especially if the password is complex or not present in the used dictionary. Additionally, attempting to break into a protected Wi-Fi network without authorization is illegal and can have legal consequences.

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Performing a brute force attack to discover the password

A brute force attack is a method of trying all possible character combinations until finding the password. This type of attack takes time and resources but can be effective if the password is relatively simple.

To perform a brute force attack on a WPA/WPA2-protected WiFi network using Kali Linux, you need to use specialized software such as Aircrack-ng.

Steps to perform a brute force attack:

• 1. Start Kali Linux and open the terminal
• 2. Type "airmon-ng" command to check which wireless interfaces are available on your computer
• 3. Type "airmon-ng start [interface_name]" command to start monitor mode on the selected wireless network card
• 4. Type "airodump-ng [interface_name]" command to view all available WiFi networks in your area
• 5. Identify the WPA/WPA2-protected WiFi network you want to break into and note its BSSID (MAC address) and channel
• 6. Type "airodump-ng --bssid [BSSID] -c [channel] -w [output_file] [interface_name]" command to start capturing traffic on the selected WiFi network
• 7. Wait until enough traffic is captured to perform a brute force attack (usually between 100,000 and 500,000 packets)
• 8. Type "aircrack-ng -w [password_dictionary_file] [output_file.cap]" command to start the brute force attack using a password dictionary

The brute force attack process can take several hours or even days depending on the computer's power and password complexity.

However, it is important to note that performing a brute force attack without the owner's authorization is illegal and can have legal consequences.

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Protecting your WiFi network from future breaches

After learning how an attacker can break into a WPA/WPA2-protected WiFi network using Kali Linux, it is essential to take appropriate measures to protect your own WiFi network from such attacks.

Change your password regularly

It is essential to change your WiFi network's password regularly. A strong and complex password makes unauthorized access to your network more difficult. Also, avoid using obvious or easily guessable passwords such as "password" or "123456."

Use the WPA3 security protocol

The WPA3 security protocol was recently introduced and is considered one of the most secure protocols available to protect your wifi network. If your router supports WPA3, we recommend using it instead of the old WPA2.

Disable SSID broadcast

Disabling SSID (Service Set Identifier) broadcast means that the name of your wifi network will not be visible to nearby devices. This makes it more difficult to identify your network and therefore access it without authorization.

Filter MAC addresses

The MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier associated with every device that connects to your wifi network. By filtering MAC addresses, you can create a list of devices authorized to connect to your network and block unauthorized ones.

• To filter MAC addresses:
• Access the administration panel of your router
• Look for the "MAC address filter" section
• Enter the MAC address of the device you want to authorize or block

It is important to note that this technique can be bypassed by an experienced hacker who knows how to clone the MAC address of an authorized device.

Update router firmware

Router firmware updates often include fixes for security vulnerabilities. Be sure to regularly check if there are updates available for your router and install them as soon as possible.

By following these measures, you can protect your wifi network from future breaches and ensure maximum security for your personal devices and data.

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Conclusion

Maintaining a secure wifi network is crucial to protecting personal data and preventing unauthorized access. By using the right security measures, such as regularly changing passwords, using the WPA3 protocol, disabling SSID broadcast, filtering MAC addresses, and updating router firmware, you can protect your wifi network from future breaches. Remember to always keep your router and devices up to date for maximum security.