Wi-Fi Deauthentication Attack Detection Using ESP8266 -Based Real-Time Packet Monitoring

Wireless networks are increasingly critical to modern communication, yet they remain vulnerable to management frame exploits. Among these, deauthentication attacks are particularly disruptive, forcibly disconnecting clients from access points and enabling denial-of-service or man-in-the-middle intrusions. This paper presents a low-cost, real-time Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using the ESP8266 microcontroller. Configured in promiscuous mode, the ESP8266 captures Wi-Fi frames, identifies malicious subtypes (0xC0 for deauth, 0xA0 for disassoc), extracts attacker MAC addresses, and triggers alerts via LCD, buzzer, and LED. Experimental validation demonstrates detection latency under 500 ms, 100% accuracy in controlled environments, and zero false positives. The proposed solution democratizes Wi-Fi security for homes, small offices, and educational institutions, contributing to grassroots-level cybersecurity awareness.