As we’ve all become more dependent on wireless networks, cybersecurity risks continue to rise. One of the most deceptively simple yet dangerous threats that we all face when connecting to public Wi-Fi is known as an “Evil Twin” attack. Here at Zeta Sky, our team is constantly studying and educating the public about emerging cybersecurity threats, especially in real-world situations where people unknowingly put their devices—and by extension, their data—at risk.
At our 2024 Inland Empire Cyber Security Summit, we conducted an eye-opening experiment. As part of a security awareness demonstration, we set up multiple networks with the same names (or SSIDs) as those typically found in public spaces, like coffee shops, airports, gyms, and hotels. These types of Wi-Fi networks are common locations for Evil Twin attacks, as they’re places where users are likely to join networks automatically or without much hesitation. What we found was alarming: over 30 attendee devices connected to our simulated “evil twin” network without the users realizing it. While this test was harmless, in real-world scenarios, a similar setup could enable a hacker to intercept emails, capture passwords, and even install malware.
What Is an Evil Twin Attack?
Simply put, an Evil Twin attack involves setting up a fake Wi-Fi network that mirrors the name of a legitimate network—like “Coffee_Shop_WiFi” or “Hotel_Guest”—in hopes that users will unknowingly connect to it. Once connected, hackers can intercept data transferred over the network, including login credentials, emails, and other sensitive information. This attack leverages the convenience of public Wi-Fi and our devices’ tendency to connect automatically to “known” networks.
Why Do Evil Twin Attacks Work?
Evil Twin attacks work well because most devices are set to automatically connect to previously accessed networks with familiar SSIDs. For example, if you’ve ever connected to “Airport_WiFi” at one location, your device may automatically connect to a network with the same SSID in a completely different setting, unaware that it’s a malicious clone. Hackers rely on this convenience factor to lure users into a trap that requires no active participation beyond connecting.
At this year’s Cybersecurity Summit, the experiment revealed how easy it is for a cybercriminal to trick even the most tech-savvy individuals into connecting to a fake network. With just a few common SSIDs mimicking places people trust, we had 30 devices connected automatically without any user intervention. In a real attack, this connection could give a cybercriminal access to sensitive information on connected devices, allowing them to steal data or even inject malware.
Real-World Risks of Evil Twin Attacks
While this experiment at the summit was harmless, a true Evil Twin attack can have serious consequences. Here are just a few examples:
- Data Interception: Hackers can monitor data sent between your device and websites, capturing login information, emails, and any unencrypted data you access.
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: A hacker may position themselves between your device and the internet, intercepting every piece of information that flows between you and the websites you visit.
- Credential Theft: Using spoofed login pages, hackers can trick you into entering sensitive credentials, giving them access to your accounts.
- Malware Injection: Hackers can deliver malware to your device through the fake network, potentially infecting your system without any additional action on your part. Often these are small footholds that will evade most anti-virus software. This is especially dangerous when loaded on a work device, for example a salesperson’s laptop. The next time that laptop connects back to their corporate domain, the malware has a chance to spread to the rest of the company.
How to Protect Yourself from Evil Twin Attacks
Awareness and caution are the best defenses against an Evil Twin attack. Here are some straightforward ways to stay safe:
- Avoid Auto-Connect Settings: Disable automatic connections to Wi-Fi networks. This prevents your device from unknowingly connecting to suspicious networks without your consent. You can also go to your phone’s settings and edit the list of remembered Wi-Fi networks. If they are common public one’s that you don’t need, it’s a good idea to delete them so your phone won’t accidently connect to them automatically.
- Verify Network Names: If you’re connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, ask the staff at a coffee shop, hotel, or airport for the exact network name and compare it carefully before connecting.
- Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic, making it far harder for an attacker to intercept your data, even if you’re on a compromised network.
- Limit Sensitive Activities on Public Wi-Fi: Avoid logging into bank accounts, work emails, or other sensitive accounts when connected to public Wi-Fi. Use your mobile data connection when accessing critical accounts.
- Turn Off Wi-Fi When Not in Use: This simple action can prevent your device from connecting to rogue networks when you’re on the go.
- Regularly Update Your Device’s Software: Security patches are continually released to address vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, so ensure you have the latest updates.
Why Business Professionals Need to Be Extra Cautious
As a business professional, it’s critical to protect both your personal and corporate data from Evil Twin attacks. Accessing work accounts and confidential files over an unsecured network can expose your entire company to serious risk, including data breaches, financial loss, and reputational harm. Always prioritize security over convenience, especially when connecting to Wi-Fi on the go.
Our experiment at the 2024 Inland Empire Cyber Security Summit showed how easily even experienced professionals can be fooled by an Evil Twin attack. By staying vigilant and following best practices, you can protect yourself and your organization from becoming a victim of these deceptively simple yet highly effective cyber threats.
Stay secure, stay informed, and remember, cybersecurity awareness is your best defense.
Curious how secure your company really is? Reach out to us and we can run a vulnerability scan on your network and provide a detailed report of our findings with steps you can take to become more secure. Sign up for an assessment here.
