Quick Answer
The correct answer is using WPA3 instead of WPA2 and implementing 802.11w (Management Frame Protection). WPA3 with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) makes management frame protection mandatory, meaning deauthentication frames are encrypted and cannot be forged by an attacker. Similarly, 802.11w explicitly protects deauth and disassociation frames, even when used with WPA2, by requiring cryptographic verification before the client accepts the frame. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your understanding of wireless attack mitigation, often appearing in the network security domain. A common trap is selecting options like disabling SSID broadcast or changing the default SSID—these do nothing to prevent deauth attacks because the attacker can still capture the BSSID from active traffic. Remember the mnemonic: “WPA3 and 802.11w are the deauth defense dream team—everything else is just a security theater.”
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of advanced topics: wireless, cloud, iot, cryptography. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are common defense measures against wireless de-authentication attacks? (Select 2)
Changing the default SSID
Why wrong: SSID change does not affect de-auth attacks.
Enabling 802.11w (Management Frame Protection)
802.11w protects management frames including de-auth.
Implementing MAC address filtering
Why wrong: MAC filtering does not stop de-auth frames.
Using WPA3 instead of WPA2
WPA3 mandates protected management frames.
Disabling SSID broadcast
Why wrong: Hiding SSID does not prevent de-auth.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enabling 802.11w (Management Frame Protection)
Using WPA3 (SAE) mitigates de-auth because management frame protection is mandatory. 802.11w (MFP) also protects de-auth frames. Changing default SSID and disabling SSID broadcast do not prevent de-auth.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Changing the default SSID
Why it's wrong here
SSID change does not affect de-auth attacks.
Enabling 802.11w (Management Frame Protection)
Why this is correct
802.11w protects management frames including de-auth.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Implementing MAC address filtering
Why it's wrong here
MAC filtering does not stop de-auth frames.
Using WPA3 instead of WPA2
Disabling SSID broadcast
Why it's wrong here
Hiding SSID does not prevent de-auth.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CEH subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — This question tests Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Enabling 802.11w (Management Frame Protection) — Using WPA3 (SAE) mitigates de-auth because management frame protection is mandatory. 802.11w (MFP) also protects de-auth frames. Changing default SSID and disabling SSID broadcast do not prevent de-auth.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CEH subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CEH exam.
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