Hacking WPA/WPA2 Wi-Fi networks is predominantly illegal and unethical unless done with explicit permission for ethical hacking purposes. Nevertheless, understanding these techniques may help in learning how to protect yourself from such attacks. Kali Linux, a preferred platform for penetration testers, equips you with all the necessary tools to perform these actions.
The process of hacking a Wi-Fi network with WPA/WPA2 encryption involves several steps. Here is a basic overview:
| Steps | Tools Involved |
|---|---|
| 1. Install Kali Linux | Kali Linux |
| 2. Gather Information | Airodump-ng |
| 3. Capture the WPA/WPA2 Handshake | Airodump-ng |
| 4. Use a Dictionary or Brute Force Attack | Aircrack-ng |
1. Install Kali Linux
Begin by installing Kali Linux on your system. You can run it as the main operating system or use it in a virtual machine. Kali Linux is equipped with dozens of network penetration tools.
2. Gather Information
Second, gather information about the target Wi-Fi network. Use the tool Airodump-ng to scan the available Wi-Fi networks. In Terminal, type:
airodump-ng wlan0mon
This command will list all available Wi-Fi networks along with their details like BSSID, signal strength, and encryption type.
3. Capture the WPA/WPA2 Handshake
The next phase is capturing the WPA/WPA2 handshake. This step is crucial as the handshake contains the information needed to decrypt the password. First, select the target network from the listed networks using:
airodump-ng -c [channel] --bssid [BSSID] -w /path-to-save wlan0mon
Replace [channel] with the channel number and [BSSID] with the BSSID of the target network. This command will start capturing packets. Now, force the clients on the target network to reauthenticate and thereby generate a new handshake using:
aireplay-ng --deauth 10 -a [BSSID] wlan0mon
Once the handshake is captured, the captured WPA/WPA2 handshake file will be saved in the specified path.
4. Use a Dictionary or Brute Force Attack
The final step involves cracking the captured handshake file using a dictionary or brute force attack with Aircrack-ng. You can use an existing wordlist or create your own. The command is:
aircrack-ng -w /path-to-wordlist -b [BSSID] /path-to-captured-handshake
Replace /path-to-wordlist with the path to your wordlist file, [BSSID] with the BSSID of the target network, and /path-to-captured-handshake with the path of your captured handshake file. Aircrack-ng will now try to crack the password using entries from the wordlist.
Precautionary Measures
- Use Strong Passwords: Ensure your Wi-Fi password contains a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to make it difficult to crack.
- Enable WPA3: If available, activating WPA3 can provide enhanced security.
- Regular Monitoring: Keep an eye on your network activity for any suspicious behavior.
In conclusion, hacking into WPA/WPA2 Wi-Fi networks using Kali Linux involves several systematic steps, which any penetration tester must understand and follow. Remember, such activities should only be carried out legally and ethically to avoid severe consequences.