###### Abstract  
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), particularly Wi-Fi, serve as the backbone of modern connectivity, supporting billions of devices globally and forming a critical component in Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems. However, the increasing ubiquity of WLANs also presents an expanding attack surface for adversaries--especially Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), which operate with high levels of sophistication, resources, and long-term strategic objectives. This paper provides a holistic security analysis of WLANs under the lens of APT threat models, categorizing APT actors by capability tiers and examining their ability to compromise WLANs through logical attack surfaces. The study identifies and explores three primary attack surfaces: Radio Access Control interfaces, compromised insider nodes, and ISP gateway-level exposures. A series of empirical experiments--ranging from traffic analysis of ISP-controlled routers to offline password attack modeling--evaluate the current resilience of WLANs and highlight specific vulnerabilities such as credential reuse, firmware-based leakage, and protocol downgrade attacks. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates how APT resources significantly accelerate attacks through formal models of computational scaling. It also incorporates threat modeling frameworks, including STRIDE and MITRE ATT&CK, to contextualize risks and map adversary tactics. Based on these insights, this paper offers practical recommendations for enhancing WLAN resilience through improved authentication mechanisms, network segmentation, AI-based anomaly detection, and open firmware adoption. The findings underscore that while current WLAN implementations offer basic protections, they remain highly susceptible to well-resourced adversaries, necessitating a shift toward more robust, context-aware security architectures. W +
Footnote †: journal: Cybersecur. Priv. 2025, 5, 27  
than 90% of all Internet traffic is carried out on Wi-Fi networks [2]. Wi-Fi is used in a wide variety of settings, including homes, businesses, schools, and public places. Wi-Fi is essential for many everyday activities, such as browsing the Internet, streaming video, and playing online games. Wi-Fi speeds are increasing all the time. WLANs play a key role in the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), contributing significantly to the connectivity of interconnected devices. As IoT applications continue to proliferate in various domains, from smart homes and healthcare to industrial settings, WLANs serve as a ubiquitous and reliable means of facilitating data exchange between these connected devices. The convenience and versatility offered by Wi-Fi make it an attractive choice for IoT deployments, enabling users to control and monitor devices remotely. However, this increased dependence on Wi-Fi in IoT applications amplifies the importance of Wi-Fi security. With numerous devices exchanging sensitive data over a wireless network, vulnerabilities within Wi-Fi protocols become potential targets for malicious actors. Protecting Wi-Fi is critical to preventing unauthorized access, which can lead to severe consequences in various scenarios. In residential settings, unauthorized access by a neighbor could result in crimes committed using the victim's network, potentially incriminating the legitimate user and subjecting them to legal consequences. In a corporate environment, a criminal targeting the WLAN network could exploit vulnerabilities to access high-value items or compromise video surveillance systems, gaining valuable insight into potential thefts or attacks. Furthermore, for companies handling sensitive data, inadequate WLAN security could lead to unauthorized access to personal information, posing a significant risk to privacy and data integrity. Therefore, securing WLANs is essential to protecting individuals and organizations from legal complications, security breaches, and the compromise of sensitive information.