If you’ve ever used free Wi-Fi at an airport or coffee shop, cyber experts say it’s time to think twice. Hackers may be lurking, ready to steal your information through a tactic known as the “evil twin” scam.

With free Wi-Fi now widely available in public places—from coffee shops to auto repair shops—hackers are exploiting these networks. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody recently warned residents about the dangers of this scam, which involves setting up fake Wi-Fi hotspots that mimic legitimate ones.

Anthony Mongeluzo, president of the cybersecurity firm PCS, explained to Fox 13 Tampa Bay how easy it is for hackers to deceive users. “Using a small device, like a $30 Raspberry Pi, I can mimic any Wi-Fi name you’ve previously connected to,” he said. Since many smartphones automatically reconnect to familiar networks, hackers can create a fake hotspot with the same name as a legitimate network, tricking users into connecting to it instead.

Once connected to the hacker’s network, users may be directed to fraudulent sites, unknowingly hand over usernames and passwords, or even reveal credit card information.

Attorney General Moody’s warning follows a recent incident where an Australian man allegedly set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots at airports, deceiving travelers and stealing personal information.

To protect against the “evil twin” scam, experts advise avoiding public Wi-Fi altogether and using personal, trusted Wi-Fi hotspots whenever possible. “Hackers gain unlimited access to your information once you’re connected to their network,” said Mongeluzo. “It feels like a trusted connection, but unfortunately, it’s not.”

(Image credit: Smart City)