Simple ESP8266 question -- is password encrypted or sent in the clear?

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I recently got an ESP8266 WiFi board and tested it with a USB-Serial cable to make sure that it works (it does, at least responding to AT commands).

Now I want to connect it to my router, which is set up to use WPA2, in client mode. But I'm wondering if the ESP8266 sends the WPA2 password encrypted or in the clear. I imagine that it sends it the same way that all WPA2-capable clients send passwords, e.g. laptops, smartphones, media streamers, etc., and that they all encrypt the password before sending it so that they can't be intercepted and discovered. But I just wanted to make sure before potentially endangering the security of my network.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I couldn't find anything about this that was ESP8266-specific. Again, I assume that it uses a standard password transmission protocol that all WPA2 clients have to use, but I just wanted to make sure.

Also, can the ESP8266 connect to routers that have their SSIDs set to not broadcast, and are there limitations on what kinds of SSIDs the ESP8266 can use? I read on a few online comments that they had to be 8 or 10 digits or some such thing. I hope I don't have to change my SSID or broadcast it to accommodate the ESP8266!

2

I use ESP8266 with 20 character SSID and 28 character password.

I've seen comments about a limit of 32 characters, but I don't know if this was an ESP8266 limit or a limit of the library I was using.

3

Hackscribble:
I use ESP8266 with 20 character SSID and 28 character password.

I've seen comments about a limit of 32 characters, but I don't know if this was an ESP8266 limit or a limit of the library I was using.

Thanks, that's good to know. Anything to add wrt my other questions?

I.e.:

1 - Is password sent by ESP8266 to router encrypted or in the clear?
2 - Can SSID be set to not broadcast for ESP8266 to connect to it?

4

I can't answer 1.

I can test 2 later today when I get home if no-one else answers before then.

5

My ESP8266 connects ok when SSID broadcast is disabled on access point.

6

Hi
i want to ask you gays about the opposite .
is it possible to make ESP work as access point (AP) and not broadcasting it's SSID ??
if it's possible with arduino i wish to help me with it i'll appreciate it a lot