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.
 

Keywords—wireless network, penetration test, kali Linux introduction

Cite: Eric B. Blancaflor, Eli Christ Paula C. Castillo, Jan Miguel N. Coretico, Geremie B. Rubiano, and Angela Marie D. Tobias, "Philippines’ Free Wi-Fi Roll-out Project: Safe or Not?," Journal of Advances in Information Technology, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 20-25, February 2023.

Copyright © 2023 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.