Even on a plane, public Wi-Fi can be dangerous: here's what hackers have learned to do

02.07.2024 19:50

Cybercriminals have learned to replace Wi-Fi networks on airplanes with fake ones and steal passengers' personal data.

One of the first such cases was reported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Law enforcement officers have detained a passenger on a commercial flight who created a fake Wi-Fi network on the plane, The Register reports.

A laptop, a device for organizing wireless networks, and a smartphone were found in the attacker’s carry-on luggage.

During the flight, the criminal set up a fake network and replaced the real one with it.

Airplane
Photo: © TUT NEWS

Passengers who wished to connect to it received a notification about the need to enter their email login and password.

This data was received by a hacker who was flying with the victims.

Experts reminded that registering on a public Wi-Fi network does not require entering personal data.

If a user receives such requests, it means that he is trying to connect to a fake network. The entered data will be received by a fraudster.

Earlier, the expert told how to get rid of an old smartphone and not become a victim of blackmail.

Dmitry Bobrov Author: Dmitry Bobrov Editor of Internet resources