Assessment of Wi-Fi Network Security in Public Libraries in Ogun State

Public library Wi-Fi networks serve an increasingly important role in digital access for students and researchers, yet their security configurations may expose users to significant risks that institutional managers frequently overlook. This study assessed the configuration security and user awareness dimensions of Wi-Fi networks in public libraries in Abeokuta North, Sagamu, and Ijebu-Ode Local Government Areas, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A combined technical audit and user survey methodology was employed. Network security audits of 15 public library Wi-Fi systems assessed encryption standards, default credential use, guest network isolation, firmware currency, and intrusion detection. A concurrent user survey measured 120 library users' awareness of public Wi-Fi risks. Technical audits revealed that 46.7 percent of networks used WEP or WPA1 encryption rather than current WPA3 standards. Default router credentials were unchanged in 53.3 percent of systems. Guest network isolation was absent in 60.0 percent. Firmware was current in only 26.7 percent of assessed systems. User awareness survey showed that only 21.7 percent were aware of the risks of unencrypted public Wi-Fi. The study concludes that public library Wi-Fi in Ogun State presents significant security risks to users and recommends immediate network standard upgrades, router replacement policy, mandatory security configuration training for library IT staff, and user Wi-Fi safety advisory posters at all Ogun State public library entry points.

Keywords: Wi-Fi security, public library, network encryption, Ogun State, public network safety