## Beware of Free Wi-Fi: Perth Flight Incident Highlights Data Theft Risk## Beware of Free Wi-Fi: Perth Flight Incident Highlights Data Theft Risk Australians are urged to exercise caution when using free Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and restaurants following an alleged incident on a flight to Perth. Michael Clapsis, 42, is accused of manipulating the in-flight Wi-Fi network, creating an “evil twin” to collect personal information from unsuspecting passengers. Police claim Clapsis used a portable wireless access device to set up a fake network that resembled the genuine one. Passengers who connected to the fake network were redirected to a phony web page where they were prompted to log in with their personal details. This information could then be accessed and used to steal sensitive data, such as bank details or online communications. Technology analyst Leigh Stark warns that it’s difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious Wi-Fi networks. He advises against using free Wi-Fi whenever possible, and if it’s necessary, to utilize a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt data. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for data theft and cybercrime in public Wi-Fi environments. Companies are particularly vulnerable as employees using their work phones on public Wi-Fi can expose entire corporate networks to hackers. To protect themselves, individuals are advised to: * Avoid free Wi-Fi whenever possible. * If using free Wi-Fi, use a VPN. * Be cautious about entering personal information on public Wi-Fi networks. * Be aware of the potential risks associated with using free Wi-Fi.
Australians are being warned about free Wi-Fi at airports, hotels and restaurants after a passenger on a flight to Perth allegedly mimicked the onboard Wi-Fi to collect data from people on board.
Michael Clapsis, 42, is accused of recently tampering with the Wi-Fi connection on a flight to Perth, causing confused passengers to discover two networks were available on their devices.
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One was genuine, the other a copy, reportedly made by Clapsis to obtain personal information.
He is said to have used a portable wireless access device in his luggage to create the ‘evil twin’ WiFi network to lure unsuspecting users.
According to police, people who wanted to connect to the fake Wi-Fi network were redirected to a fake web page where they had to log in with their personal information.
This data was then reportedly stored and could be used to access more personal information, such as a victim’s bank details or online communications.
Police allege Clapsis, from Western Australia, used the device on multiple flights and at multiple airports.
He was charged with nine cybercrime offences and was due to appear in court in late June, after which his case was postponed until August.
Technology analyst Leigh Stark told 7NEWS: “If you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t take much effort: you create a Wi-Fi network and get other people to log in and you start taking their data off of it.
“To some extent, a free Wi-Fi network is safe, but that depends on who is offering it.”
Stark said it was “almost impossible” to tell at first glance whether a Wi-Fi network was good or bad.
“You have to make sure you do the right thing,” he said.
If people use their company phones on a public Wi-Fi network, hackers can gain access to entire corporate networks.
The advice is to avoid free WiFi as much as possible and, if you must use it, to use a virtual private network (VPN).
“A VPN helps you encrypt that data so that the person running that network can’t actually overpower you,” Stark said.
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