What is WiFi Pineapple? A Detailed Guide
Knowing what is WiFi Pineapple is not that difficult. If you are not familiar with the term, then this guide will help you out. The founder of WiFi Pineapple is hak and invented by Darren Kitchen. It is a wireless auditing platform which deals with security administrators to conduct a penetration test, which is part of ethical hacking.
You will find it quite similar to the typical access point along with a custom OS known as PineAP. The main focus of the development is on mobile and continuous deployment. Thus, it can interface with hundreds of devices at a time. It has been listed under the most dangerous threats as it exploits some of the most basic features that the WiFi network operates.
How does the WiFi Pineapple Work?
Now, we will be discussing the ways the WiFi Pineapple works. The structure of the WiFi Pineapple is quite similar to the standard WiFi router. The single difference that you will be able to find is having an extra bunch of aerials sticking out from the top. And, you will be amazed to know that this is the way they got the name ‘Pineapple’.
This aerial helps by extending the range of WiFi Pineapple. Thus, making it different from the standard WiFi and dangerous at the same time. It is quite an easy task to perform a cyber-attack using WiFi Pineapple.
For instance, after you reach home your network connects with the home network easily as it trusts the network. Even though it falls under a huge security flaw. To your information, your device has minimum information about the network it connects to. This means in case any attacker sets up a network with a similar name, you won’t be able to identify whether it is controlled by a hacker or not.
The WiFi Pineapple has proved to be helpful for the hackers to trick victims into connecting to the network that they use. We have already mentioned that it is a useful tool with a huge range which means it can project fake networks over a broad area.
What are the Uses of WiFi Pineapple?
We have already discussed what is WiFi Pineapple, its invention and how it works. Now, we come to what are the uses of WiFi Pineapple. It mainly performs pen tests and helps audit network administrators’ network security. The access point enables the network engineers to hack their network. This will help in identifying vulnerabilities and strengthen the network.
How does the Wifi Pineapple Compromises Security?
Once you are connected with the fake WiFi network that the hackers have set up, you will risk various forms of cyberattacks. This will make the hacker steal every personal information, including passwords, photographs, banking details etc. As they would have control of the information passing over the network.
The WiFi Pineapple can also be used to carry out more sophisticated forms of attack. Like they can also pose as a man in the middle. It will initiate by cutting off the online service transaction and may post as you. Or, even they can post a fake phishing site to gather information about others connected.
How You can avoid WiFi Pineapple?
You will notice some clear signs of WiFi Pineapple initiating toward your device. Over here, we will be discussing how to avoid WiFi Pineapple and be aware of it. With WiFi Pineapple, the hacker will set up a WiFi network with the same name as a trusted one. And, then they will lead with network traffic to kick users off.
It might be possible that you are in a public place, like a cafe or an airport and notice that there are two networks with the same name. It means that someone over there is using WiFi Pineapple. You are recommended not to connect to the network.
In some cases, it is a bit different, and the signal of the WiFi Pineapple is so powerful that it might suppress the standard WiFi network. And, you might not notice that you have connected to a fake one. That is the reason why it is important to have a good security protocol. This will stop the damage caused by the hacker.
Conclusion…
So, this was the complete information about what is WiFi Pineapple – How it performs and functions, how it affects the standard network etc. Every detail with a new subheading is given so that it becomes clear to you how it affects the network. Hope this will help you out.
