Wi-Fi Security FAQ
Fast answers to the questions that come up most in real Wi-Fi lab troubleshooting.
Why is my handshake capture empty?
Usually one of these: wrong band/channel, unsupported monitor-mode behavior, or no client reconnect event during capture. Start with a controlled WPA2 lab AP on fixed 2.4 GHz channel and one known client.
Does WPA3 make captures useless?
Not useless, but different. WPA3-SAE and PMF change attack surface and expected outcomes. If older replay/downgrade assumptions fail, that may be defensive success.
Do I need two adapters?
Not mandatory, but often helpful: one for capture, one for AP/client simulation. It reduces channel-hopping mistakes and troubleshooting ambiguity.
What is PMF/MFP and should it be required?
PMF protects some management frames from spoofing abuse. On modern clients, “required” is often the safer baseline. Validate compatibility in your own environment before broad rollout.
Why do I only see beacons but no useful data frames?
Frequent causes: channel mismatch, filtering mistakes, weak adapter/driver performance, or dropped frames under load. Validate channel and bandwidth first.
Why does 6 GHz troubleshooting feel harder?
Hardware support and regulatory-domain behavior vary more than people expect. Confirm your adapter, OS, and AP all truly support your intended 6 GHz workflow.
What is the best first troubleshooting sequence?
- Fix AP settings (channel, width, security mode) to a known baseline.
- Confirm beacons and management frames are visible.
- Generate one predictable client reconnect event.
- Capture and validate artifacts, then change only one variable at a time.