What is an evil twin attack?

These attacks are especially dangerous because they’re almost impossible to spot with the naked eye. One wrong click on a familiar-looking network name can lead to exposure on a cybercriminal-controlled network. It’s like connecting to a digital imposter that’s just waiting to steal your login info, emails, or sensitive business data. But don’t worry, there are ways to protect yourself. We’ll show you how to stay safe, use solutions like a Virtual Private Network (VPN), and keep your data out of the wrong hands.

How does an evil twin attack work?

So how does this evil twin trick actually happen? Let’s walk through the steps cybercriminals use to pull it off:

1. The bad actor sets the trap

First, the attacker creates a rogue Wi-Fi access point—a fake network that mimics the name (SSID) of a real, trusted one. For example, if a coffee shop’s legit network is “CoffeeHouse_WiFi,” the cybercriminal might name theirs the exact same… or something super close like “CoffeeHouseFree_WiFi.”

2. You connect—unknowingly

Next, a user (maybe you, maybe your colleague) sees that familiar-looking network pop up and connects to it without thinking twice. After all, it looks just like the real thing—no red flags in sight. This is especially common in places with lots of public Wi-Fi networks, like airports, hotels, and cafés.

3. The attacker intercepts data

Once you’re on the evil twin network, the attacker can start intercepting the data you send and receive. Think sensitive data such as emails, login credentials, business documents—anything transmitted over that connection, compromising the user’s privacy. It's like handing your info to someone in disguise.

4. The attacker might fake a login page

To take things further, the attacker could redirect you to a fake login page designed to resemble the legitimate portal for example for your email, cloud storage, or work portal. You enter your username and password, and now—the attacker gains access to sensitive information.

5. The attack goes undetected

The most dangerous part is that a user might never know it happened. While the victim believes they are using a legitimate network and working normally, data is quietly scooped up behind the scenes.

Evil twin attacks in real-world scenarios

Let's take a look at real-life examples that demonstrate just how effective and dangerous an evil twin attack can be, and why it's crucial for businesses to stay alert:

The airport and in‑flight imposter

In April 2024, Australian Federal Police discovered a 42‑year‑old man traveling with a portable Wi‑Fi setup. He had deployed multiple evil twin networks at airports (Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide) and even on a plane in midflight, mimicking official public Wi‑Fi and airline networks.

Unsuspecting passengers connected and were redirected to fake login portals for email or social media, handing over their credentials directly to the attacker. He was eventually arrested, charged with nine cybercrime offenses, and police warned about the risk of rogue access points on planes and in airports

The convention conundrum

Back in 2016, during the US Republican National Convention, cybercriminals set up an evil twin Wi‑Fi network named something like “I VOTE TRUMP WIFI” near the venue. Over 1,200 attendees unsuspectingly connected to the fake access point, potentially exposing their emails, documents, and even business info. This incident shows that even high-profile events aren’t immune to rogue access points.

Rogue access point vs. evil twin attack: what’s the difference?

These two terms often get mixed up—and for good reason. They’re closely related, but not exactly the same. Let’s clear it up.

A rogue access point is any unauthorized Wi-Fi access point connected to a network. It might be set up by an employee without permission (for convenience) or by an attacker who wants to bypass your network’s security. Either way, it’s unapproved and potentially dangerous.

An evil twin attack, on the other hand, is a specific type of rogue access point. It’s a fake network designed to mimic a real one—usually in a place with lots of public Wi-Fi networks. The goal is to trick people into connecting so the attacker can steal data or monitor their activity.

In short: all evil twins are rogue access points, but not all rogue access points are evil twins.

How to prevent an evil twin attack

Now that you know what an evil twin attack is and how it works, let’s talk about how to stop it from catching you—or your business—off guard:

Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities

Try to steer clear of accessing sensitive accounts (like work email or banking) while connected to public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are the prime targets for cybercriminals to set up evil twin attacks because they know people are less cautious there.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A Virtual Private Network is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to protect your data. A VPN encrypts all the data you send and receive, making it useless to cybercriminals—even if you accidentally connect to a fake network. This is especially important when you’re working remotely or traveling for business.

3. Disable auto-connect to Wi-Fi networks

Many devices are set to automatically reconnect to previously used Wi-Fi networks—but attackers rely on this. If your device is set to auto-connect, it might latch onto an evil twin and you may not realize that. Turn this setting off, especially when you're outside trusted locations.

4. Double-check network names

Before connecting, confirm the exact Wi-Fi network name with staff if you’re in a public place. A small typo or added character in the name might be a clue that you're looking at an evil twin Wi-Fi access point.

Pro tip: Combining cautious habits with security solutions like a VPN gives you a strong defense against most Wi-Fi network threats, including evil twin attacks. A little awareness goes a long way in keeping your business and personal data safe.

Bottom line

Evil twin attacks are built on one simple idea: deception. They take advantage of your trust in familiar-looking Wi-Fi networks—especially in public places. But now that you know what to look for, how they work, and how to defend against them, you’re already ahead of the curve.

However, awareness alone is not enough. Having the right security measures in place makes all the difference.

A Business VPN encrypts every connection, keeping sensitive data secure and hidden—even on unsecured public Wi-Fi. With Always-On VPN, there are no accidental gaps in protection, so your team stays covered wherever they work.

You can also deploy malware scanning for downloads, that can detect threats even if a user is tricked into visiting a malicious site. Real-time traffic monitoring and global threat intelligence help flag suspicious behavior before it turns into a major security issue.

In short, with NordLayer, your business isn’t just relying on employee caution—you’re backed by a platform built to recognize, block, and stay ahead of cyber threats.

Want to see how NordLayer can protect your team from threats like evil twin attacks?

Connect with our cybersecurity specialists to explore tailored solutions that keep your business secure—no matter where your employees connect.