In an evil twin attack, an adversary gathers information about a public network access point, then sets up their system to impersonate it. This practice is known as “wardriving.” Evil Twin Attacks Savvy computer users know this, and some have made a hobby out of driving through cities and neighborhoods with a wireless-equipped computer-sometimes with a powerful antenna-searching for unsecured wireless networks. The broadcast range of a wireless access point can make internet connections available outside your home, even as far away as your street. Wardriving is a specific kind of piggybacking. These users may be able to conduct illegal activity, monitor and capture your web traffic, or steal personal files. So, if your neighborhood is closely settled, or if you live in an apartment or condominium, failure to secure your wireless network could open your internet connection to many unintended users.

Outdoors, this range may extend as far as 1,000 feet. The typical indoor broadcast range of an access point is 150–300 feet. If you fail to secure your wireless network, anyone with a wireless-enabled computer in range of your access point can use your connection. Whether it’s a home or business network, the risks to an unsecured wireless network are the same. What are the risks to your wireless network? Taking a few precautions in the configuration and use of your devices can help prevent this type of activity. Internet-connected devices may be used by nefarious entities to collect personal information, steal identities, compromise financial data, and silently listen to-or watch-users. With the number of these devices on the rise, it is important to implement a security strategy to minimize their potential for exploitation (see Securing the Internet of Things). In today’s connected world, almost everyone has at least one internet-connected device.

Wifi sniffing