Philippines' Free Wi-Fi Roll-out Project: Safe or Not?

Abstract

Free Wi-Fi networks are widely implemented in public areas to provide benefits for the people. This paper focuses on the vulnerabilities around Wi-Fi networks that people are unaware of. Discussing the risks of using free internet is viable as public places in the Philippines have started implementing free Wi-Fi networks. Along with this, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) of the Philippines is expanding the number of free Wi-Fi to help the Filipinos adjust to the new normal caused by the pandemic. With the increase of internet access, Filipinos should be informed of the risks they may have. In this study, the security of free Wi-Fi has been exploited through various technical methods of Wi-Fi penetration testing. The study simulated penetration testing using the Kali Linux in a virtual environment from consented Wi-Fi owners. The overall result of the study shows that free Wi-Fi networks in public areas may not be safe. Free Wi-Fi users must be aware of the risk; hackers accessing their devices and inevitably stealing their private personal information.