Fake In-Flight Wi-Fi Network Created on Delta Flight

Pilots Alleged Passenger Created Scam Wi-Fi to Impersonate Airplane's Legitimate Network

On Monday, a Delta flight from Las Vegas to Atlanta was affected by an unexpected issue when an unidentified passenger allegedly created a fake Wi-Fi network. According to the airline and public broadcasts from the plane, the pilots sent two messages mid-flight to air traffic control, stating that a passenger 'created a scam Wi-Fi' designed to impersonate the airplane's legitimate wireless network.

The pilots sent two messages mid-flight to air traffic control, stating that a passenger 'created a scam Wi-Fi' designed to impersonate the airplane's legitimate wireless network.

The pilots said they did not have any more information, but noted that some of the passengers came from cybersecurity conferences held in Las Vegas last week. It's unclear what the passenger or passengers were doing.

It's unclear what the passenger or passengers were doing.

The incident highlights the potential risks of fake Wi-Fi networks. For instance, it's easy to set up a fake or malicious Wi-Fi network using commercially available tools like a Wi-Fi Pineapple, a hardware device designed for spoofing real-world networks. These devices are sold for professional security testers to audit companies' security, or for hobbyists who want to learn how to hack.

• These devices are sold for professional security testers to audit companies' security, or for hobbyists who want to learn how to hack.

The Atlanta Police Department referred questions to federal authorities. Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Steve Kulm said the agency has not received a report about the incident. The FBI said it was aware of the incident and is working with local and corporate partners on the matter.

• The FBI said it was aware of the incident and is working with local and corporate partners on the matter.

The flight crew turned off the aircraft's legitimate Wi-Fi network for around 30 minutes due to the incident. Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant told TechCrunch that the safety of flight was never in question and no aircraft operating systems were affected.

• Delta spokesperson Morgan Durrant told TechCrunch that the safety of flight was never in question and no aircraft operating systems were affected.

Delta is fully investigating the incident, which will take time. The airline will partner with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators to ensure the incident is thoroughly investigated.

• Delta is fully investigating the incident, which will take time. The airline will partner with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators to ensure the incident is thoroughly investigated.