What Is an Evil Twin Attack? How To Secure Your Devices Against MitM Attacks

Evil twin attacks are a cyber spoofing method used to trick you into connecting to a fake Wi-Fi network, leaving you vulnerable to hackers. This cybercrime can sneak up on anyone. Most of us use public Wi-Fi at some point when traveling or grabbing that favorite cup of joe at the local coffee shop. But how do we know those free networks are safe?

In this article, we’ll show you how to keep online safety a priority and avoid these nasty hacking attempts, as well as which of the best VPN services can best protect you against fake Wi-Fi networks.

What to do if you experience an evil twin attack

If you get impacted by an evil twin attack, follow these steps immediately.

1. Disconnect from the fake network: As soon as you sense something is off, stop using the Wi-Fi network. 
2. Run an antivirus or other security scan: Check to see if malware was downloaded onto your device.
3. Reset your network: If you suspect your home network has been compromised, reset the network to remove any of the hacker's configurations.
4. Report the attack: Notify the FCC and your local police department.
5. Let your bank know: Notify your bank and any other financial institutions that have been affected.
6. Change passwords: Reset all your passwords to mitigate online threats. Use a secure password vault to create, store, and manage your passwords.
7. Enable 2FA or MFA: Two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication can reduce the chances of successful evil twin attacks by requiring an extra layer of security authorization.
8. Set up a VPN: Install a reputable VPN to encrypt your internet activity and safeguard your data from future bad actors. 

What is an evil twin attack?

An evil twin attack is a man-in-the-middle attack (MitM) where a hacker attempts to trick you into connecting your device to a fake Wi-Fi network access point. It’s referred to as an "evil twin" because it mimics another network that is real.

If you connect to this fake network, the data you share will get sent to the server the hacker controls. The entire time you’re online, you have no idea the network you’re using is dangerous.

Risks of an evil twin attack

Evil twin attacks can be hard to spot, and the risks for users are high. When these attacks are successful, they give hackers complete access to your device. Once they have that, they can take control of all your personal information. They can also use an evil twin attack to insert malware onto your connected devices. Before you know it, your computer has a nasty virus.

You typically won’t know you’ve been a victim until it’s too late. You may notice some odd bank transactions that you didn’t make. When pulling up your account, you may suddenly see transactions in a different state for items you didn’t purchase. By that point, you may have identity theft and loss of data to consider. Rather than being on the offense, it puts you in an uncomfortable defensive mode, trying to recover your accounts and other data.

How evil twin attacks work

Unfortunately, it’s pretty simple for hackers to create evil twin Wi-Fi attacks. The setup is easy, and the allure is strong. Since the network looks safe on the outside, you see no reason not to use it. It may also have a strong signal, which makes you want to connect to it over one that isn’t as strong.

Here’s a closer look at how these attacks work.

1. Hackers look for populated areas

The hacker looks for the perfect public places for the evil twin attack. Busy areas are prime hunting grounds for hackers because they’re so popular. Anywhere people gather, combined with free public Wi-Fi, can make an evil twin attack look completely innocuous.

2. Evil twin access point gets configured

The hacker will set up the evil twin network using the SSID (Service Set Identifier) that the genuine Wi-Fi router uses. That fake Wi-Fi access point gets configured through a portable hotspot, tablet, phone, or computer. If you’re not careful, you won’t see a difference between this network and the legitimate one.

3. A fake captive portal is created

After setting up the evil twin network, the hackers will create a phony portal page. A captive portal page is a website that automatically opens once you connect to the Wi-Fi, asking you to enter information to access and use the network. If you fill out the fake page, you’ve just given the hacker the info they need to complete their attack.

4. The network is made accessible

The hacker will place the hotspot in an area with the most people, thereby maximizing the chances of hooking more users. Hackers can see your data once you connect to the evil twin network. They can monitor what you do while stealing private information they deem valuable. The hackers can also insert dangerous malware onto your device if they want.

How to identify and prevent an evil twin attack

Evil twin attacks can be so subtle, so how can you feel safe on public Wi-Fi? Luckily, there are some warning signs you can look for that will signal an attack.

• Duplicate network: If you’re attempting to use public Wi-Fi and see two networks with almost identical names, you should pause the connection. That could be an evil twin in disguise, with hackers hoping you’ll use the one they’ve created.
• Suspicious captive portal pages: If you get directed to a captive portal page, take a minute to check the legitimacy before quickly giving out your private information. When you see grammatical errors, typos, or suspicious links that could direct you to a malicious website, don’t use the network.
• Unsecured network notification: Your device may notify you that you are about to connect to an unsecured network. If you see this, you may want to avoid the network entirely.

How to prevent an evil twin attack

These evil twin attacks may not appear as obvious as other cyber threats. To avoid becoming a victim of these online attacks, you should keep these tips in mind when using Wi-Fi networks.

1. Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) helps you securely connect to the internet. All your online activity gets encrypted before an evil twin hacker can see or access it. It’s an additional layer of protection to keep you safe from these cyber threats.
2. Don’t use unsecured networks: Many public Wi-Fi connections are unsecured. If you see one marked as unsecured, it’s best practice to avoid using it. It may not be an evil twin, but unsecured networks are more susceptible to online cyber threats.
3. Only use HTTPS websites: These websites are secure and include SSL certificates. That means they are encrypted, which helps prevent an evil twin attack.
4. Use two-factor authentication: If you enable 2FA, a hacker cannot access your online accounts, because it requires two means of authorization, which the cybercriminal won’t have.
5. Do not use private accounts on public Wi-Fi: First, sign out of any sensitive accounts you use, like banking websites or other financial links. Then snoopers won’t see your login credentials for those accounts if you opt to use public Wi-Fi.
6. Disable auto-connect: If your device has an auto-connect feature, keep it turned off. That will avoid an accidental connection to a dangerous network.
7. Use your hotspot: A personal hotspot or mobile tethering gives you a safe way to connect to the internet when away from home. That provides you with a trusted network to use.
8. Install antivirus software: Antivirus software can help ensure malware gets detected or prevented before it can damage your device or create security issues.

3 best VPNs for staying safe on public Wi-Fi

A VPN is an excellent first step toward keeping your devices safe while using public Wi-Fi, but not all VPNs are made equal. We highly recommend avoiding free VPNs, which can infect your devices with malware and collect your personal data, and opting for one of these premium VPN apps instead.

• Surfshark: A low-cost VPN with tons of security features, Surfshark topped the charts during our hands-on testing. We love that it comes with a kill switch, which blocks your internet traffic if the VPN suddenly disconnects, as well as CleanWeb, a malware and ad blocker.
  
  
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FAQ

Bottom line

Evil twin attacks can be scary. These cyberattacks can quickly access your private information and steal your credentials and financial data. They can even lead to identity theft if not caught in time.

Hackers are getting more sophisticated, but that doesn’t mean you must become an online victim. Using the tips in our article, you can stay safe while browsing the internet. Always use antivirus software and a VPN app to keep your data more secure. 

With online safety, it’s best to use a combined approach with different layers of protection to ensure the most effective data security. Consider a cybersecurity bundle like Surfshark One, which includes a top-notch VPN service with real-time antivirus protection.