Measuring Public Wi-Fi Security Awareness via Captive Portal Connections Using a Microcontroller

This article proposes the implementation of a captive portal system on a microcontroller to assess users’ maturity regarding the safe use of public Wi-Fi networks. The use of public Wi-Fi networks has become increasingly common in places like cafes, airports, shopping centers, and hotels. However, many users are unaware of the risks associated with using these unsecured networks, such as personal information theft, privacy invasion, and cyberattacks. This study aims to utilize a microcontroller to generate a signal mimicking a known public network, where, upon user login, an educational authentication portal will be displayed. This portal will not only provide information about security risks but also evaluate the users’ maturity level in adopting safe practices on public Wi-Fi networks, offering guidelines on how to protect their data and devices.