Waverly Secure – Public Wi-Fi “Evil Twin” Scam Alert
Public Wi-Fi “Evil Twin” Scam Alert
Public Wi-Fi is convenient, especially while traveling, but it can expose users to significant cybersecurity risks. One increasingly common threat is known as an “evil twin” attack — a scam in which a cybercriminal creates a fake Wi-Fi network that closely mimics a legitimate hotspot in places such as airports, hotels, or coffee shops.
How an Evil Twin Attack Works:
- A hacker sets up a wireless network with a name nearly identical to the real public Wi-Fi (for example, “Hotel_Guest_WiFi” instead of “HotelGuestWiFi”).
- An unsuspecting user connects to the counterfeit network.
- Once connected, the attacker can monitor activity, capture login credentials, intercept sensitive data, or hijack online sessions.
Because the network appears legitimate, victims often do not realize they are connected to a fraudulent hotspot until personal or financial information has already been compromised.
Why These Attacks Are Dangerous:
- Stolen usernames and passwords can lead to unauthorized access to email, banking, and investment accounts.
- Intercepted financial information can result in fraud or identity theft.
- Hijacked sessions may allow attackers to impersonate users in real time.
- Accessing client or business information on unsecured networks can create additional professional risk.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Confirm the exact Wi-Fi network name with staff before connecting in hotels, airports, or other public places.
- Avoid conducting financial transactions or accessing sensitive accounts while on public Wi-Fi.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on important accounts.
- Use a trusted virtual private network (VPN) when traveling.
- Disable automatic Wi-Fi connection settings on your devices.
Stay Vigilant While Traveling:
Public networks are convenient but should never be assumed secure. Taking a few extra moments to verify your connection and limit sensitive activity can significantly reduce your exposure to cyber threats. Awareness and proactive precautions remain some of the strongest defenses against evolving online scams.
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