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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 18, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: evil twin attack, free wifi, Scams ( 1,636 ), travel ( 4 ), travel scam ( 6 )   

  Holiday Travel Warning: The “Evil Twin” Wi-Fi Scam Explained 

  

  By Greg Collier

  As millions of people travel for the holidays, airports, hotels, coffee shops, and convention centers are packed with travelers looking for one thing the moment they sit down: free Wi-Fi.

  That demand creates the perfect opening for a lesser-known but highly effective cyber scam known as the “evil twin” Wi-Fi attack—and travelers are among the most common victims.

  This scam doesn’t rely on fake prizes, urgent phone calls, or phishing emails. Instead, it quietly exploits trust, convenience, and public networks.

  What Is an “Evil Twin” Wi-Fi Network?

  An evil twin is a fake Wi-Fi network that looks legitimate but is actually controlled by a scammer.

  It’s called an “evil twin” because it is designed to closely mimic a real network you already trust.

  Examples include:

  • Airport_Free_WiFi
  • Hotel Guest Network
  • Starbucks_WiFi
  • ConventionCenter_Public

  To a traveler in a hurry, these names look normal, and that’s exactly the point.

  Once connected, the attacker can:

  • Monitor your internet traffic
  • Capture login credentials
  • Intercept emails or messages
  • Redirect you to fake login pages
  • Install malware in some cases

  You don’t need to click a suspicious link. Simply connecting can be enough.

  Why Travelers Are Prime Targets

  Holiday travelers are uniquely vulnerable to this scam for several reasons:

  • Constant movement between unfamiliar locations
  • High reliance on public Wi-Fi to avoid roaming charges
  • Urgency to check flights, reservations, rideshares, or work email
  • Distraction and fatigue, especially during delays

  Airports and hotels are particularly attractive to scammers because:

  • They host large volumes of short-term users
  • People expect multiple similarly named networks
  • Security announcements about Wi-Fi are rare or unclear

  How the Scam Typically Works

  1. A scammer sets up a portable Wi-Fi hotspot using a laptop or small device.
  2. They name it to closely resemble a legitimate network nearby.
  3. The fake network often has a stronger signal, making it appear first on your device.
  4. When you connect, one of two things happens:
     • You are silently monitored while browsing
     • You’re redirected to a fake “sign-in” page asking for email, social media, or even payment details

  In many cases, victims never realize anything went wrong until accounts are compromised later.

  What Information Can Be Stolen?

  Depending on the setup, an evil twin network can expose:

  • Email usernames and passwords
  • Social media logins
  • Online banking credentials
  • Corporate VPN access
  • Travel rewards accounts
  • Session cookies that allow account takeover without a password

  Even encrypted websites (HTTPS) don’t fully protect against every version of this attack, especially if users ignore browser warnings or log into insecure pages.

  Red Flags

  While evil twin networks are designed to look legitimate, warning signs may include:

  • Multiple Wi-Fi networks with nearly identical names
  • A login page that looks generic or unbranded
  • Requests for unnecessary personal information
  • A network that suddenly disconnects and reconnects repeatedly
  • Browser warnings about security certificates

  If anything feels off, disconnect immediately.

  How Travelers Can Protect Themselves

  A few simple precautions can dramatically reduce risk:

  • Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking or work logins
  • Confirm the exact network name with airport signage or hotel staff
  • Turn off auto-connect for open Wi-Fi networks
  • Use a trusted VPN when connecting on the road
  • Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts
  • Forget networks after use so your device doesn’t reconnect automatically

  When in doubt, using your phone’s cellular hotspot is often safer than unknown public Wi-Fi.

  Final Thoughts

  The evil twin Wi-Fi scam highlights an uncomfortable reality. Not all scams announce themselves.

  Some of the most effective modern fraud relies on blending into everyday infrastructure, airports, hotels, cafés, and other public spaces we assume are safe.

  As travel increases during the holiday season, awareness becomes the most effective defense.

  If you wouldn’t hand your phone unlocked to a stranger in an airport, don’t hand over your internet traffic either.

  Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but when it comes to unknown networks, convenience can be costly.

  Staying connected shouldn’t mean staying exposed.

  Further Reading

  • What Is an Evil Twin Attack? Evil Twin Wi-Fi Explained
  • What Is an Evil Twin Attack and How to Stop It
  • Evil Twin Attack: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Stay Safe
  • Why Public Wi-Fi at Tourist Hotspots Is a Goldmine for Hackers
  • Experts Warn of Evil Twin Attacks on Public Wi-Fi for Travelers
  • The Dangers of Public Wi-Fi During Holiday Travel
  • Evil Twin (Wireless Networks)
   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on May 5, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cybersecurity ( 38 ), evil twin attack, Scams ( 1,636 ), travel ( 4 ), wifi ( 3 )   

  Travel Abroad? Beware Fake Wi-Fi 

  

  By Greg Collier

  As economic concerns continue to affect consumer behavior, many travelers are reconsidering their summer plans. Domestic air travel is seeing a slight contraction, with several airlines recently announcing the cancellation of select routes within the United States. While this has caused frustration for those seeking to travel closer to home, international destinations, especially those in Europe, appear to be gaining momentum as U.S. carriers expand their global offerings.

  This uptick in overseas travel brings with it a host of new considerations, particularly when it comes to staying connected. International roaming fees from major U.S. carriers typically range from $6 to $15 per day, depending on the specifics of one’s plan and destination. To avoid these charges, many travelers opt to leave their phones in airplane mode and instead rely on Wi-Fi hotspots found in hotels, airports, and cafés.

  However, using public Wi-Fi networks comes with significant security risks. One of the more concerning threats is a tactic known in cybersecurity circles as the ‘evil twin’ attack. In such an attack, a malicious actor creates a fake Wi-Fi network that closely mimics a legitimate one, often using names that resemble trusted locations such as “Airport” or “Cafe_Guest.” Once a traveler connects to the fraudulent network, the attacker is able to intercept and monitor the data being transmitted. This type of intrusion allows them to collect sensitive information such as passwords, emails, and even financial data.

  This threat is particularly troubling because it is both simple and inexpensive for attackers to execute. Setting up a fake hotspot often requires little more than a laptop and freely available software. As international travel becomes more common during peak seasons, so too does the likelihood of encountering one of these fraudulent networks.

  To protect personal information while abroad, travelers are encouraged to avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks unless they are secured with a password and known to be legitimate. Device settings should be adjusted to prevent automatic connections to nearby networks, and file sharing should be disabled. It is also wise to refrain from accessing sensitive accounts while using any public connection.

  An added layer of protection can be achieved by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which encrypts internet traffic and helps shield it from interception. For those seeking more control over their internet access, a portable hotspot that uses a secured mobile data connection may also be a worthwhile investment.

  As more people prepare to travel internationally this year, awareness and caution are essential. A proactive approach to digital security can prevent costly and intrusive experiences and ensure that the memories made abroad are good ones.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on November 1, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cybersecurity ( 38 ), evil twin attack, Scams ( 1,636 ), traveling ( 16 ), wifi ( 3 )   

  Florida Warning Travelers of Wi-Fi Scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Connecting to free Wi-Fi has become second nature for many of us. Airports, coffee shops, and even auto repair shops offer Wi-Fi as a convenience. But beneath the convenience, cyber experts are issuing warnings. These open networks may be prime hunting grounds for hackers. In fact, the State of Florida has, once again, recently spotlighted a particularly insidious type of cyber scam known as the ‘evil twin’ attack, bringing to light just how easily criminals can turn public Wi-Fi networks against users.

  The allure of free Wi-Fi is clear, but as more places provide it, cybercriminals are getting creative in exploiting it. Hackers can create evil twin networks, which are Wi-Fi connections that look like familiar and trusted networks but are impostors set up to deceive unsuspecting users. Hackers will make their phony network names to match those of common public spaces. As soon as users connect to one of these evil twin networks, they open the door for attackers to access their devices and data.

  Many people’s smartphones and laptops remember networks they’ve previously connected to and will automatically reconnect to them. When a device sees a network with a familiar name, it connects without asking the user, assuming it’s safe. Hackers exploit this feature, setting up networks with identical names to those commonly found in airports or popular venues, tricking devices into connecting automatically. Once connected, the hacker has a direct line to the user’s device, allowing them to redirect traffic to fraudulent sites, install spyware, or even steal passwords and other personal information.

  With incidents of this scam occurring globally, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. For those who need internet access on the go, using a personal mobile hotspot or a trusted VPN connection is a safer alternative. As tempting as it may be to tap into that free Wi-Fi, it’s important to weigh the risks. Accessing a network without verifying its authenticity could lead to significant compromises in privacy and data security.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 17, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: airport ( 5 ), cybersecurity ( 38 ), evil twin attack, identity theft ( 130 ), Scams ( 1,636 ), traveling ( 16 ), wifi ( 3 )   

  What Is the Evil Twin Attack Targeting Travelers? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  You might feel safe and relaxed while cruising at 35,000 feet, but there’s something you should be on the lookout for, even mid-flight. It’s a sneaky Wi-Fi scam known as the Evil Twin Attack. This old trick has resurfaced, now targeting airline passengers.

  Recently, news outlets in Australia reported an arrest involving this very scam. Authorities claim that a man stole passengers’ personal information using a fake Wi-Fi network while they were on a flight. How did this happen? Let’s break it down.

  Evil Twin Wi-Fi is a fake network that copies the name of a Wi-Fi you’ve used before and trust. Think of places like airports, hotels, or coffee shops where your phone or laptop automatically reconnects to the Wi-Fi without you even thinking about it. Scammers take advantage of this by creating a Wi-Fi network with the same name to trick your phone into connecting to their network instead.

  In the Australian case, the alleged scammer took it a step further. He boarded multiple flights with a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that mimicked the name of the airport’s Wi-Fi. When the plane took off and passengers switched to airplane mode, their phones unknowingly connected to the imposter Wi-Fi, thinking they were back on the airport’s trusted network.

  Once passengers connected, they were asked to log in using their social media or email passwords. If they did, they handed over sensitive information like usernames and passwords, which could easily be used for identity theft. Essentially, the scammer could pretend to be them online and access their accounts.

  This may sound alarming, but there are simple ways to avoid falling victim to an Evil Twin Wi-Fi attack. One effective method is to delete any public networks your phone automatically reconnects to, such as those from airports, cafes, or libraries. By going into your Wi-Fi settings and removing these unnecessary networks, you can prevent your phone from connecting to potentially fake ones in the future.

  Another smart precaution is to keep your Wi-Fi turned off when you’re not using it. Rather than leaving it on by default, only activate it when you are certain you’re connecting to a trusted network. This small habit can greatly reduce your risk.

  Adding security software, like a virtual private network (VPN), is another protective measure. A VPN will encrypt your data, helping to ensure that even if you accidentally connect to a rogue network, your personal information most likely remains secure.

  These adjustments are simple but can go a long way in keeping your data safe. As scams like this one become more common, especially in places like airports, staying alert and taking these precautions will help protect you, even at 35,000 feet!