Australian Man Charged with 'Evil Twin' Wi-Fi Attacks on Domestic Flights

TapTechNews July 3rd news, a 42-year-old Australian man has been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for allegedly carrying out an evil twin Wi-Fi attack on domestic flights and airports in Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The man is accused of creating a fake Wi-Fi hotspot and stealing the email and social media login information of unsuspecting passengers. In April this year, after airline staff reported a suspicious Wi-Fi network on the flight, the AFP began an investigation. Subsequently, the police searched the man's luggage and residence, seized the portable wireless access device, a laptop and a mobile phone used to commit the crime, and arrested him.

According to TapTechNews, an evil twin attack refers to setting up a fake wireless access point whose name (SSID) is exactly the same as that of a regular network, making it difficult for passengers to tell the authenticity. People connected to a malicious network may be redirected to a fake login page and enter their login credentials, which may be used to access sensitive data, hijack accounts, or be sold to other cybercriminals.

The AFP reminds that a regular free Wi-Fi network should not require any personal details to be entered.

The man faces multiple charges, including unauthorized damage to electronic communications, possession of data with the intent to commit a serious crime, unauthorized access or modification of restricted data, and sale of personal financial information, and the most serious charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.