Analysis of Cyber Threats in the Educational Environment: A Practical Approach

This study presents a practical analysis of vulnerabilities in wireless networks in the educational context. Through the implementation of the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) methodology, a comprehensive security assessment of a wireless network in an educational institution was conducted. The study focused on identifying critical vulnerabilities and simulating cyber-attacks, including a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack. The tests were conducted using Kali Linux, a specialized cybersecurity distribution that provides effective tools for network scanning and vulnerability exploitation. The results revealed that the network had several weaknesses, highlighting the need to strengthen the security measures implemented. The capture and analysis of compromised traffic using Wireshark revealed the exposure of sensitive data, underscoring the importance of adopting robust security practices. This work not only contributes to the improvement of the security of the evaluated network, but also provides practical recommendations that can be applied in other educational institutions. It emphasizes the need for ongoing cybersecurity education for all users, as well as the implementation of effective security policies to mitigate risks in the school environment.