What is a Wi-Fi Pineapple and How Can You Stay Safe?

Let’s Discuss

I was recently asked what a Wi-Fi Pineapple is… So, let’s talk it out. Let’s also discuss how you can protect yourself and ensure your safety.

First off, a Wi-Fi Pineapple is a portable device that hackers can use. Whether they are “white hat” hackers testing for vulnerabilities or “black hat” hackers looking for holes to exploit, it’s a device they can use to impersonate and mimic existing Wi-Fi networks. This creates a “man-in-the-middle” situation, where the Wi-Fi Pineapple pretends to be a legitimate Wi-Fi network. When you connect to a Wi-Fi network based on its SSID (Service Set Identifier), you might be connecting to a Wi-Fi Pineapple instead of the secure network you intend to join. When this happens, the attackers can see every bit of data you send through that Wi-Fi Pineapple. So, when you connect and start using the internet or sending data from your computer, you’re sending it through this device, where hackers have full control. They can intercept data, create fake login pages, or deliver malicious payloads, including DNS spoofing. They can even perform WPA handshakes to further pivot into a network. It’s crucial that we don’t fall for these tricks and can stop them before they become an issue.

How to Protect Yourself from a Wi-Fi Pineapple

How do we protect ourselves from a device like a Wi-Fi Pineapple?

The first thing is to know where these devices are found. The most common places you hear about Wi-Fi Pineapples being used are in hotels. However, they can be found anywhere you see an unsecured network. Basically, they spoof an unsecured network, and when you connect to it, they can see all your traffic, no matter what you’re doing.

Next, we want to make our Wi-Fi networks less appealing targets. To do this, use strong passwords on your Wi-Fi devices. Ensure encryption is turned on and your devices are up to date. If you have a guest Wi-Fi network, separate it completely from your main network. Also, avoid names that identify you. For example, instead of “Jeremy’s Business Wi-Fi,” use something more generic that’s harder for them to target. Overall, the goal is to be a hard target. If someone is determined, it’s difficult to completely prevent an attack, but we want to make it as hard as possible so that any malicious actors will move on to an easier target.

Additionally, train employees and anyone using your networks and devices on correct security procedures. Encourage the use of password managers and other standard security practices. Advise them to be more suspicious when connecting to public Wi-Fi, especially non-secure ones. If you’re at an airport or hotel and connecting to the free Wi-Fi, there’s a strong possibility that a Wi-Fi Pineapple could be in use, and you might connect to it without knowing.

If you are working remotely and connecting to Wi-Fi networks while accessing your business network, use a VPN. If you don’t know how to use a VPN, talk to your IT team or reach out to me. A VPN encrypts your data, ensuring your information is secure as it travels outside your work network. Furthermore, if you see anything fishy, like phishing emails or shady scams, report it.

Finally, it’s highly suggested that you do not auto-connect to Wi-Fi networks. Be deliberate about it. Make sure you are actively choosing to connect to networks when you go to different places, rather than your device randomly connecting to whatever Wi-Fi it picks up because it thinks you’ve connected to it before.

In Summary

This has been a basic primer on what a Wi-Fi Pineapple is and what to look out for. Again, it’s a device that mimics a Wi-Fi network, and when you connect to it, you’re sending your information through a gateway that hacker’s control. So, be careful about which Wi-Fi networks you’re connecting to. Don’t auto-connect if you can avoid it. Avoid public networks if possible, and if you are connecting remotely to your work network, make sure you’re using a VPN to secure that line. As always, if you have any questions, reach out to us, drop us a message, and we’ll set up a time to discuss it together. Stay safe!