UDC 37.016:004.056:004.7

An D.S.¹ (Khabarovsk, Russian Federation) – 013637@togudv.ru; Fedoreev A.V.¹ (Khabarovsk, Russian Federation) – 2019104080@togudv.ru

¹Pacific National University

Abstract. The article is devoted to the safe use of public open Wi-Fi networks and home wireless networks by school and university students in the context of students’ growing everyday dependence on digital services. The paper examines the main risks that arise when users connect to unknown or insufficiently protected access points, as well as typical user errors related to password entry, use of personal accounts, transmission of confidential data, financial operations and configuration of a home router. The theoretical part describes the features of open Wi-Fi networks, fake access points, man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing authorization pages, interception of network activity, weak passwords and insufficient protection of the local home network. Special attention is paid to the fact that the presence of a password does not always mean network security, while the absence of conscious user actions can increase the risk of compromising personal data, educational accounts and devices. The theoretical part is supported by a practical survey of school and university students conducted through Google Forms. The survey identifies students’ awareness of Wi-Fi risks, their behavioural habits, attitudes toward open networks and practices of protecting home Wi-Fi. The novelty of the study lies in considering the safe use of Wi-Fi networks not only as a technical issue, but also as an element of students’ digital literacy that requires the formation of stable behavioural skills. The obtained data are used to analyse the gap between students’ ideas about digital security and their actual actions. The materials may be useful for students, teachers, parents and educational organizations when preparing reminders, checklists, preventive classes and practical recommendations aimed at developing safe digital behaviour.

Keywords: information security, Wi-Fi, open wireless network, home local network, digital literacy, school students, university students, safe network behaviour, fake access point, survey.

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For citation: An, D. S., & Fedoreev, A. V. (2026). Wireless immunity of students: developing skills for safe use of Wi-Fi networks. CITISE, 2, 745–761. (In Russian).