Wifi Network Attacks and How to Stay Safe

Jul 13, 2024

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Wifi Network Attacks and How to Stay Safe

Overview

  • Understanding how hackers attack Wi-Fi networks
  • Demonstrating attacks by different levels of hackers: Noob, Hipster, and Pro
  • Importance of safety and ensuring your network isn't vulnerable
  • Simulating these attacks at Bear Cave Coffee in Mesquite, Texas
  • Disclaimer: Demonstrations of real Wi-Fi attacks are provided for educational purposes only

Types of Hackers

  1. Noob Hacker
  2. Hipster Hacker
  3. Pro Hacker

Man in the Middle Attack

Noob Hacker's Approach

  • Simple and effective attack, mostly unnoticed
  • Tools: Laptop, Cali Linux (professional hacking operating system)
  • Process:
    1. Connect to a public Wi-Fi network
    2. Run net probing with Bettercap to scan Wi-Fi network and find targets
    3. Perform ARP spoofing to impersonate the router and intercept traffic
    4. Use Wire Shark to capture and analyze data
    5. Intercept and monitor all internet traffic of the target

Mitigation

  • Use VPN (e.g., NordVPN) to encrypt internet traffic and avoid interception
  • VPN can hide and protect traffic even if a man-in-the-middle attack occurs

Evil Twin Attack

Concept

  • Create a fake Wi-Fi network that looks identical to a legitimate one
  • Users unknowingly connect to the fake network

Noob Hacker's Challenge

  • Requires additional YouTube tutorials and special Wi-Fi adapter (e.g., Alpha Network Adapter)

Hipster Hacker's Approach

  • Uses Flipper Zero for remote Wi-Fi attacks, including launching an evil twin with captive portals
  • Hides Wi-Fi gear discreetly in public places
  • Captive portals trick users into entering credentials

Pro Hacker's Approach

  • Uses advanced tools like Wi-Fi Pineapple Enterprise
  • Easily sets up and conducts evil twin attacks with stronger signals
  • Can intercept devices even if they don’t actively connect to Wi-Fi
  • Exploits remembered Wi-Fi networks by devices to force reconnections

Mitigation

  • Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks
  • Use VPN to protect data even if connected to a fake network

Wi-Fi Password Cracking

Noob Hacker’s Method

  • Uses Aircrack-ng suite to monitor and capture four-way handshakes
  • Deauthentication attack to capture handshake data
  • Uses standard wordlists (e.g., RockYou) to guess passwords

Hipster Hacker’s Method

  • Uses Flipper Zero with minimal effort for scanning and de-auth attacks
  • Captures handshake data discreetly

Pro Hacker’s Method

  • Uses Wi-Fi Pineapple Enterprise to automate capturing handshake data
  • Effective deauthentication and recon tactics

Cracking Process

  • Uses packet capture files (four-way handshakes) and wordlists to guess passwords
  • More experienced hackers use targeted wordlists created from specific data relevant to the target
  • Custom Python scripts to enhance the attack effectiveness

Mitigation

  • Use strong, randomly generated passwords for Wi-Fi networks
  • Enterprise solutions like host isolation and Wi-Fi mitigation attacks

Individual Security Tips

  • Always use VPN (e.g., NordVPN) for all internet activities
  • Enable threat protection features even when not connected to VPN
  • Regularly update and check Wi-Fi network security settings

Conclusion

  • Awareness and proper security measures are key to protecting against Wi-Fi attacks
  • Enterprise solutions are more advanced but essential for businesses
  • Personal vigilance and use of VPN can reduce the risk of these attacks