That free café or airport WiFi might look harmless, but it could be a silent trap for your crypto. Cybersecurity experts warn that a growing number of travelers are falling victim to so-called “Evil Twin” WiFi attacks, especially in high-traffic locations.
Here’s what you need to know to protect your crypto while traveling.
A familiar travel scenario with a dangerous twist
You’ve just stepped off a long flight. You’re exhausted, your mobile data isn’t working, and you urgently need to move some crypto. The airport offers “free WiFi,” so you connect without thinking twice.
Hours later, your wallet balance is gone.
In many cases like this, users unknowingly connect to an “Evil Twin” WiFi network — a fake access point designed to look legitimate while silently stealing data in the background.
How Evil Twin WiFi attacks work
An Evil Twin attack happens when hackers clone a real public WiFi network name, such as “Airport_Free_WiFi” or “Hotel Guest Network.” Devices connect automatically or with a single tap, giving attackers the chance to intercept traffic or trick users into revealing sensitive information.
Security researchers said that these attacks are more common than most people realize. In 2024, the Australian Federal Police charged a man accused of setting up fake WiFi hotspots at an airport to harvest personal data from travelers.
According to Steven Walbroehl, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Halborn, Evil Twin networks are most often found at airports, cafés, hotels, conferences, transit hubs, and tourist hotspots — anywhere people expect free internet access.
Why Evil Twins are especially dangerous for crypto users
Connecting to a fake WiFi network alone doesn’t automatically drain your crypto. The real danger begins when users interact with malicious prompts while connected.
23pds, chief information security officer at SlowMist, says attackers rely on social engineering, not advanced hacking. Victims are often shown fake login pages, system updates, wallet warnings, or prompts to install “helper tools.”
In the worst cases, users are tricked into typing their seed phrase — something that still happens far too often.
Even without seed phrases, attackers can steal exchange login details, email access, or two-factor authentication codes, allowing them to drain centralized crypto accounts in minutes.
The biggest mistake travelers make on public WiFi
Evil Twin attacks succeed because they catch users at the worst possible moment — tired, rushed, and off-guard.
The key risk isn’t broken encryption. It’s phishing and manipulation.
Experts strongly advise avoiding high-risk crypto actions on public WiFi, including wallet transfers, changing security settings, connecting to new dApps, or logging into exchanges. Seed phrases should never be entered under any circumstances, no matter how convincing the request looks.
Using bookmarks or manually typing official domains instead of clicking search ads can also reduce the risk of landing on fake websites.
How to stay safe from Evil Twin WiFi attacks
The safest option while traveling is using your own mobile hotspot or a trusted private network. Disabling automatic WiFi connections on your devices can also prevent accidental connections to rogue networks.
If public WiFi is unavoidable, experts recommend using a reputable VPN to encrypt traffic and only connecting to networks that venue staff verbally confirm as legitimate.
Real-world crypto losses are already happening
In January, an X user known as “The Smart Ape” shared how their crypto wallet was drained after using hotel WiFi and making what they described as a series of “stupid mistakes.” While the case didn’t explicitly involve an Evil Twin network, it highlighted how public WiFi can be used to launch similar phishing and wallet-draining attacks.
Crypto travel security: a simple setup that works
Crypto exchanges are also sounding the alarm. In June, Nick Percoco from Kraken warned about poor security practices at crypto conferences and events.
SlowMist recommends a simple three-layer approach when traveling. Keep your main holdings untouched. Use a separate travel wallet with limited funds. For daily spending, swaps, or light dApp use, rely on a small hot wallet with minimal exposure.
That way, if your phone is stolen, a link is compromised, or a WiFi trap catches you off guard, the damage is contained.
For crypto users on the move, convenience can be expensive. When it comes to public WiFi, staying offline for a few extra minutes is often far safer than risking everything in your wallet.
