WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Beware of the Evil Twin cyber scam.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert to warn Floridians about the rising threat of Evil Twin cyber scams.
According to the Attorney General’s Office (AG), these scams involve hackers creating fake Wi-Fi networks with names similar to trusted networks, hoping users will connect and inadvertently provide personal information. Additionally, scammers may develop fraudulent mobile apps to steal user data.
Two ways Evil Twin scams work:
- Wi-Fi Networks: Hackers set up fraudulent Wi-Fi hotspots that appear identical to legitimate networks in public places like coffee shops, airports, or hotels. Once a victim connects, the hacker can monitor activity and steal sensitive information.
- Mobile Apps: Cybercriminals create malicious apps that closely mimic popular, legitimate apps. Once downloaded, these fake apps can steal login credentials, financial data, or install malware on the user’s device.
In a notable incident earlier this year, the AG’s Office referenced when a scammer used a portable Wi-Fi hotspot on an airplane, mimicking the legitimate onboard Wi-Fi network to deceive passengers…