An unauthorized Wi-Fi network appeared aboard a Delta Airlines flight on 10 August, in what investigators believe was an attempt to scam passengers travelling home from a major hacker conference in Las Vegas.
Delta Airlines Flight 591, a Boeing 757, was flying from Las Vegas to Atlanta when the mysterious network surfaced. Some of the passengers on board were returning from DEF CON 34, one of the world’s largest cybersecurity and hacker conferences.
How the rogue network worked
A review of messages sent by the flight crew to Air Traffic Control revealed that someone on the plane had created a Wi-Fi network named “Delta WiFi Fast”. A second message from the crew noted that some passengers returning from DEF CON 34 had managed to jam Delta’s legitimate Wi-Fi signal in order to broadcast their own.
Observers theorised that a malicious device was being used to impersonate the genuine Delta Wi-Fi network, attempting to trick passengers into connecting their devices. Once connected, phones, tablets and laptops could be directed to bogus login pages designed to steal website and app credentials, including usernames and passwords, along with other sensitive personal data. The use of the word “fast” in the network name suggested an effort to entice passengers, who would be more likely to join a network describing itself that way.
Crew response and federal investigation
The cabin crew shut down the aircraft’s Wi-Fi system for 30 minutes while they assessed the situation. No emergency was declared, and the flight continued towards Atlanta, Georgia, carrying 199 passengers and six crew members.
After landing safely, authorities boarded the plane and questioned passengers. Delta also checked whether the aircraft’s operating systems had been compromised, but found no indication of any breach. The airline itself was not hacked.
A federal investigation is now underway. The passenger or passengers behind the attack, if identified, could be charged with committing a federal offence. Delta stated that the safety of those on board was never in jeopardy, and that determining exactly what happened and who was responsible will take some time.
Many airlines now offer in-flight Wi-Fi, with carriers such as JetBlue, Delta, United, American and Southwest providing it free of charge, though sometimes requiring passengers to join a loyalty programme or view advertisements first. Other airlines charge a fee of roughly £6 to £8 per flight.
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Image: phonearena.com
