So you were about to connect, but you wanted to make sure – just how unsafe is hotel Wifi? Unfortunately, the answer is that they are not safe at all. In fact, hotels are a primary target for hackers due to the number of businesspersons and government employees that travel through them. There are several different types of hacking and cybersecurity risks associated with hotel wifi networks, including man-in-the-middle attacks, ransomware, cyberbullying, and credit card theft. The likelihood of these risks depends on many factors related to the network itself as well as user behaviors. With some awareness, users can reduce their risk of falling victim to hacker attacks while traveling. Hotel wifi is generally considered to be an unsecured network, meaning that it is likely to be vulnerable to the presence of hackers.
Why Do People Hack Hotel WiFi Networks?
Hackers may access a government or corporate network through a wireless connection provided at a local coffee shop or hotel. They do this because they know that there are likely no security measures in place.
Hackers may do this in order to steal sensitive information or to damage the network that they are infiltrating. This has been considered espionage in some cases. More often, hackers access networks for fun or personal gain by stealing credit card numbers, emails, social security numbers, and other private data. By joining a wireless connection at a coffee shop or hotel, people unknowingly put themselves at risk for identity theft.
How can Hotel WiFi be hacked?
There are several different types of hacking and cybersecurity risks associated with hotel wifi networks, including man-in-the-middle attacks, ransomware, cyberbullying, and credit card theft. The likelihood of these risks depends on many factors related to the network itself as well as user behaviors. With some awareness, users can reduce their risk of falling victim to hacker attacks while traveling.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack is a hacking technique that involves intercepting and relaying sensitive information between two parties who think they are directly connected. Hackers can use this type of attack by creating their own wireless network with the same name as the hotel wifi. People who try to access the hotel wifi would actually be sending their data packets to the hackers instead. This allows hackers to see all of your usernames and passwords in plain text, including credit card numbers or any other private information you might input.
How it is done:
Hackers can set up their own wireless network using the same name as the hotel WiFi. A user will then try to connect to the hotel’s wifi, but instead would be connecting to the hackers’ “evil twin” access point that they’ve created.
The victim doesn’t know that this is happening, since they are still presented with a connection named “Hotel_Wifi_Net.” This allows hackers to see all of your usernames and passwords in plain text.
How can it be prevented?
Since hackers create an access point with the same name as the hotel wifi, people can protect themselves by checking what wifi networks are available before deciding which one to connect to. People should view other networks when choosing not to connect to the hotel’s wifi. For example, there could be an evil twin network that is named “Hotel_Wifi_Net” but has only one or two available networks to choose from. This can be a red flag that it might not actually be the real hotel wifi (the more networks listed means the less likely it is to be fake).
Ransomware
Another hacking technique used by cybercriminals involves encrypting important files and holding them for ransom. Victims are told to transfer money in order to decrypt their files, but this method does not always work. Hackers may also use ransomware as a way of disrupting business activities because files are held for ransom until the victim pays up. Recently, ransomware has been on the rise, so you should be particularly wary of this.
How it is done:
Hackers can gain access to a victim’s computer through an infected email attachment or by accessing files from a USB drive. This may be done when a person is away from their hotel room but still connected to the hotel wifi.
Once hackers have control over a victim’s computer, they encrypt important documents and take any other actions necessary for disrupting business operations. The cybercriminals then demand money in exchange for decryption codes so that victims can get their files back.
How can it be prevented?
Before opening attachments or clicking on links, users should check file type extensions (e.g., Docx vs. doc) as well as source URLs (e.g., paypal.com vs something like phishing-site.com) to be safe. Also, saving files on an external drive will make it impossible for hackers to gain access to important documents.
Packet Sniffing
Packet sniffing occurs when a hacker downloads important information in packets. Hackers usually do this by acting as an unsecured wireless access point, which allows them to intercept traffic.
How can it be prevented?
To prevent hackers from gaining access to important data, users should use the HTTPS:// protocol rather than HTTP:// whenever possible (especially for logging into websites). This prevents the transfer of data in clear text, making passwords and other sensitive information more secure. Additionally, people should favor wired Internet connections over WiFi whenever possible since they are less likely to be spoofed or hacked. Cyberbullying and Credit Card Theft
Sidejacking (Session Hijacking)
What is it and how does it work?
Sidejacking works by hijacking a user’s data connection, allowing hackers to see everything that transpires over the victim’s connection. This allows them to get credit card numbers or any other private information entered into forms.
How can it be prevented?
Although sidejacking only works on unsecured wireless networks, having an https:// protocol for websites will make stolen information less useful to cybercriminals. Additionally, users should never conduct financial transactions or enter credit card numbers through public WiFi.
Tapping Mobile Data Traffic with Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs)
Hackers can tap mobile data traffic with SSIDs in order to intercept the personal data of victims. Since this works via SSIDs (which are required for mobile devices to connect to wireless networks), hackers can easily gain access to personal information by acting as a nearby WiFi access point.
How it is done:
In order for hackers to tap into mobile data traffic, they need to be physically close enough to their victims in order for the signals from WiFi routers and cell towers to reach them. Additionally, hackers may use a directional antenna or a long-range amplifier in order to boost the signal strength of their network so that victims stay within range longer.
How can it be prevented?
If there are only one or two available wireless networks in an area, users should turn off mobile data on their devices when not using it. This ensures that hackers can’t tap into mobile data traffic with SSIDs. Additionally, users should favor wired Internet connections over WiFi whenever possible since they are less likely to be spoofed or hacked.
How Can VPNs Protect Against Public Wi-Fi Hacking?
So there we have it. Hotel wifi can be pretty unsafe! But how to protect yourself? The best way to keep yourself safe on public Wifi is by using a VPN. VPNs encrypt all data going to or from a client, which can help protect against hackers trying to access private information. They also hide the IP addresses of users so that cybercriminals cannot easily identify people while on public networks.
Public unsecured networks are not secure, and this is especially true for hotel networks. Everyone should be careful about what they click on or download when using unsecured WiFi connections. Luckily, most VPNs encrypt all data that passes through them, which can help protect against hackers looking to access sensitive information or steal financial information.
JewelVPN Free VPN Download for Windows PC
