What Is an Evil Twin Attack and How Does It Work? (2024)

What is an evil twin attack?

An evil twin attack occurs when a hacker tries to trick users into connecting to a fake Wi-Fi access point that mimics a real network. When the victim connects to the spoofed evil twin network, the data they share gets sent to a server controlled by the attacker.

Evil twin networks can be difficult to detect, because attackers use social engineering tactics to create fake captive portals that copy the generic login pages used by many public Wi-Fi access points. This type of spoofing attack seeks to fool victims into logging onto fake networks so that attackers can monitor their behavior, access their accounts, and steal their personal data.

How does an evil twin attack work?

Here’s how an evil twin Wi-Fi attack works:

  1. ​​A hacker chooses a location with a free Wi-Fi network and sets up a Wi-Fi access point.

  2. The hacker creates a fake captive portal to capture user data.

  3. The hacker tricks victims into connecting to the evil twin Wi-Fi point by, say, positioning themselves closer to their victims to boost signal strength.

  4. A victim unknowingly logs onto the fake access point.

  5. The hacker can now monitor their behavior and steal whatever data the victim accesses on the fake network.

Hackers often initiate cybersecurity attacks through vulnerabilities in public Wi-Fi networks. That’s why it’s important to learn how to stay safe on public Wi-Fi. Understanding the differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 network security protocols can help you make sure that the networks you browse on are safe.

What Is an Evil Twin Attack and How Does It Work? (2)An evil twin attack happens when hackers trick people into logging on to spoofed networks.

Evil twin attack example

A fake Wi-Fi network set up and named after a nearby cafe is an obvious example of an evil twin attack. After the network is set up, it’s easy for victims to mistake the fake, evil twin network for a real one, because the network’s name looks legitimate. Then, when the victim clicks the network to log on, the login portal used to enter credentials is spoofed to look authentic.

Without suspecting a thing, the victim logs onto the network to go online. Whatever they proceed to do online — open their email account, access social media, go shopping online — is then visible to the hacker who set up the evil twin network.

Like evil twins in movies or books, the evil twin Wi-Fi hotspot hacking technique plays on familiarity to deceive you.

How to protect your device from Evil Twin attacks

Hackers take advantage of the haphazard way many of us connect to networks to go online. Whenever you’re using public Wi-Fi, use basic digital hygiene and follow these evil twin attack prevention tips:

  • Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots: Unsecure Wi-Fi hotspots lack security features like firewalls that protect network traffic. Evil twin hotspots are usually in this category.

  • Use your own hotspot: A personal hotspot is a reliable way to connect to a Wi-Fi network in a public place, and it reduces the risk of hackers accessing your data.

  • Disable auto connect: If you’ve unknowingly connected to an evil twin network in the past, auto connect will automatically reconnect you in the future. When in public places, disable it.

  • Avoid logging into private accounts on public Wi-Fi: In an evil twin attack, only the data you access is at risk. Whenever you’re on public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing your personal accounts or entering payment details.

  • Use a VPN to encrypt your data: A VPN encrypts your data, protecting it on private and public networks. Using a VPN offers ironclad internet security.

  • Stick to HTTPS websites: Safe websites use HTTPS connection — the “s” stands for secure. Unlike HTTP sites, HTTPS websites use end-to-end encryption to prevent hackers from monitoring your activity.

  • Use two-factor authentication: 2FA requires at least two steps of verification — for example, a password and an authentication code sent via text — to log into an account.

Protect yourself from unsafe networks with Avast

Evil twin Wi-Fi attacks aren’t the only way hackers can compromise your personal data. When you’re on public Wi-Fi there’s a risk that someone might be snooping on network traffic. Protect yourself from today’s wide array of online threats with Avast One, a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with an arsenal of built-in tools to keep your device and your data safe. Install Avast One for free today.

Get it for Mac, PC, Android

Get it for PC, Mac, iOS

DOWNLOAD FREE AVAST ONE

Get it for Android, iOS, Mac

DOWNLOAD FREE AVAST ONE

Get it for iOS, Android, PC

What Is an Evil Twin Attack and How Does It Work? (2024)

FAQs

What Is an Evil Twin Attack and How Does It Work? ›

Evil twin attacks are a type of Man in the Middle (MitM) attack in which a fake Wi-Fi network is set up to steal information or further infiltrate a connecting device. This is often done in public settings where people are most likely to look for or connect to freely available Wi-Fi.

How does the evil twin attack work? ›

An evil twin attack takes place when an attacker sets up a fake Wi-Fi access point hoping that users will connect to it instead of a legitimate one. When users connect to this access point, all the data they share with the network passes through a server controlled by the attacker.

How does the evil twin work? ›

An evil twin attack is a rogue Wi-Fi access point (AP) that masquerades as a legitimate one, enabling an attacker to gain access to sensitive information without the end user's knowledge. An attacker can easily create an evil twin with a smartphone or other internet-capable device and some easily available software.

What is an example of evil twins? ›

In literature, Beowulf has been cited as an early example of the evil twin story. Although it does not feature biological twins or even characters that seem to have similar appearances, the precise parallel language suggests that the monsters are evil reflections of the hero.

What is the meaning of evil twin? ›

noun. a character in a work of fiction who is the evil identical twin, clone, or counterpart of another character: The actor plays two roles—the protagonist and his evil twin, who serves as an antagonist for much of the film.

How do you summon an evil twin? ›

Use Lil-La's effect to Special Summon Evil★Twin Ki-sikil back from the GY and use Ki-sikil's effect to draw 1 card. Then, use the 2 Link Monsters to Link Summon another Evil★Twin Ki-sikil. This may seem strange, but it sets you up to bring back Evil★Twin Lil-la during your opponent's turn to destroy 1 of their cards.

What is the evil twin attack vulnerability? ›

An Evil Twin attack takes advantage of two different vulnerabilities. The first is the way that (most) devices handle Wi-Fi networks. The second is the ignorance of most users when it comes to updating and configuring a Wi-Fi network.

What is the power of a twin? ›

A characteristic set of attributes of twins recurs in different mythologies of wide distribution. In addition to healing, divine twins are often empowered with the ability to revive the dead, increase the fertility of man, animals, and crops, influence the weather, predict the future, and insure victory in battle.

How can we protect against the evil twin? ›

How to prevent future evil twin attacks
  • Turn off the automatic Wi-Fi connection. ...
  • Refrain from unsecured hotspots. ...
  • Use a reputable VPN. ...
  • Use mobile data. ...
  • Avoid connecting to personal accounts. ...
  • Ensure you only visit HTTPS websites with a VPN. ...
  • Set up 2FA for your online accounts. ...
  • Update your devices regularly.
Sep 12, 2023

What is the difference between live twin and evil twin? ›

While the younger-looking "Live☆Twin"s appear as internet influencers, they are actually the virtual avatars of the more mature "Evil★Twin"s, who are luxurious thieves.

Why are twins seen as evil? ›

They become allegorical representations of either moral or religious struggles. They externalise the division between the socialised and the repressed selves or else the battle between good and evil. In this sense, evil twins are extensions of the trope of the double (doppelgänger) or shadow self.

Which of the following best describes evil twin? ›

Which of the following best describes an evil twin? An access point that is configured to mimic a valid access point to obtain logon credentials and other sensitive information. An evil twin is a rogue access point that is configured to mimic a valid access point.

What is the good vs evil twin? ›

One creates all that is good and useful to humans, while the other is destructive, and creates all that is bad. Eventually the good twin defeats his evil brother, and banishes him to a pit under the earth. From this pit the evil twin sends emissaries that continue to bring evil into the world.

Are twins good or bad luck? ›

Twins appear in the mythologies of many cultures around the world. In some cultures they are seen as ominous, and in others they are seen as auspicious. Twins in mythology are often cast as two halves of the same whole, sharing a bond deeper than that of ordinary siblings, or seen as fierce rivals.

How do you defend against the evil twin attack? ›

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.

What does the evil twin do after initial association when the victim client transmits? ›

What does the evil twin do after initial association when the victim client transmits? -Decrypt the frame using ET-VC key, read messages, then use second key to encrypt it and send it back to the server 27. Distinguish between evil twin access points and rogue access points.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 6336

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.