WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Beware of the Evil Twin Cyber ​​Scam.

October is National Cyber ​​Security Awareness Month, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a consumer alert to warn Floridians about the growing threat of Evil Twin cyber scams.

According to the Attorney General (AG), these scams involve hackers creating fake Wi-Fi networks with names similar to trusted networks in the hope that users will connect and inadvertently provide personal information. Additionally, scammers can develop fraudulent mobile apps to steal user data.

Two ways Evil Twin scams work:

• Wi-Fi networks: Hackers have created fraudulent Wi-Fi hotspots that look identical to legitimate networks in public places such as coffee shops, airports or hotels. Once a victim logs in, the hacker can monitor activity and steal sensitive information.
• Mobile Apps: Cybercriminals create malicious apps that closely mimic popular and legitimate apps. Once downloaded, these fake apps can steal login credentials, financial data, or install malware on the user’s device.

In one notable incident earlier this year, the AG’s Office referenced the time a scammer used a portable Wi-Fi hotspot on an airplane, mimicking the legitimate onboard Wi-Fi network to scam passengers.

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Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the importance of remaining aware and vigilant of potential scams.

“October is National Cyber ​​Security Awareness Month, and we’re warning Floridians about an online threat called the Evil Twin scam. Cybercriminals can use this scam to target victims through both fake Wi-Fi networks and imposter mobile apps to steal personal information,” Moody said. “To avoid this scheme, verify that the Wi-Fi network is legitimate to the provider before you sign in and check the reviews of apps before downloading them to your phone.”

Attorney General Moody offered tips to help Floridians stay safe:

• Check Wi-Fi networks: Always confirm the legitimacy of the Wi-Fi network with the provider by verifying the exact name with a real person or written instructions.
• Secure websites: Make sure any website you visit uses https:// instead of http:// in the URL, or look for a lock icon, which indicates the site is secure.
• Download apps safely: Only download apps from official app stores and carefully review reviews from app publishers and users to ensure authenticity.
• Use a VPN: Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt data and make it harder for cybercriminals to access your personal information over public Wi-Fi.
• Turn off file sharing: Turn off file sharing and automatic Wi-Fi connections on devices.
• Avoid sensitive transactions: Avoid making financial transactions or connecting to personal accounts when connecting to public Wi-Fi.

Victims of Evil Twin scams should report incidents to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Computer Crime Center.

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