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Subject: [ISN] 'Evil twin' Wi-Fi hacks target the rich
From: InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews ! org>
Date: 2006-11-24 6:33:16
Message-ID: Pine.LNX.4.61.0611240033070.2458 () conundrum ! infosecnews ! org
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http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2169400/expert-warns-evil-twin-attacks
By Iain Thomson
vnunet.com
23 Nov 2006
Locations popular with high net worth individuals are being targeted by
hackers using phoney wireless access points to steal personal
information.
So called 'evil twin' attacks involve putting a wireless access point
near a commercial hotspot and giving it the same name.
When the unsuspecting user logs-on to the bogus hotspot their traffic is
monitored, personal information can be gathered and in some cases the
computer can be hacked remotely.
"We are not seeing these in Starbucks much, as there is not much value
in a MySpace login," said Richard Rushing, chief science officer at
Wi-Fi security firm AirDefense.
"Instead they are targeting the locations where the better-off are
hanging out because they have something worth seeing."
Rushing explained that 'evil twins' had recently been found in the first
class lounge of an international airport, and in garages that specialise
in expensive cars that offered Wi-Fi while you wait. Train station
lounges had also been targeted.
This form of attack uses social engineering and hacking, since a key
part is lulling the suspect into a false sense of security but mimicking
a legitimate service.
It also shows the extent to which hackers are having to deal with
information overload from skimming too much information to process
effectively.
The attacks are a growing problem for security managers. While corporate
Wi-Fi networks are increasingly being locked down on installation, it is
the individual user who is now seen as the weakest link.
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