A wireless evil twin attack is a type of cyberattack in which an attacker creates a fake wireless access point (WAP) that is designed to mimic a legitimate WAP in order to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting users. The fake WAP, also known as the "evil twin", is set up to look like a legitimate WAP, such as a public WiFi hotspot or a corporate network. When a user connects to the evil twin, the attacker can intercept and steal the user's sensitive information, such as login credentials and financial information.
There are several ways that an attacker can carry out a wireless evil twin attack:
Spoofing the SSID (Service Set Identifier): The SSID is the name of a WAP that is broadcast to devices in order to identify the network. An attacker can create an evil twin WAP with the same SSID as a legitimate WAP in order to trick users into connecting to it.
Using a stronger signal: An attacker can use a stronger signal than the legitimate WAP in order to make the evil twin more attractive to users. This can be particularly effective in crowded areas, where there may be multiple WAPs with overlapping coverage.
Using a man-in-the-middle attack: An attacker can use a man-in-the-middle attack to intercept and alter the communication between a user and a legitimate WAP. The attacker can then redirect the user to the evil twin WAP, where they can steal the user's sensitive information.
Wireless evil twin attacks can be difficult to detect, as the fake WAP is designed to mimic a legitimate WAP. Users can protect themselves from these attacks by being cautious when connecting to unfamiliar WiFi networks, checking the spelling and capitalization of the SSID, and using a VPN to encrypt their internet traffic.
Overall, wireless evil twin attacks are a serious threat to users' privacy and security, and it is important for individuals to be aware of this type of attack and take steps to protect themselves.
