What is the term for a rogue Wi-Fi network that appears legitimate?

The term for a rogue Wi-Fi network that appears legitimate is known as an "evil twin." This type of network is a malicious Wi-Fi access point that pretends to be a legitimate one, often with a similar name, in order to deceive users into connecting to it. Once connected, the attacker can intercept sensitive information, such as passwords or personal data, and may also redirect users to malicious websites.

The name "evil twin" effectively captures the essence of this threat, highlighting its deceptive nature. Users may unwittingly connect to this fake network rather than the trusted one, believing it to be a secure connection when in fact it is not. This is a significant risk in public spaces where multiple Wi-Fi networks may be available.

In contrast, a man-in-the-middle attack involves an intermediary capturing communication between two parties, while phishing attacks primarily target individuals via emails or messages to trick them into providing personal information. A brute-force attack is a method used to gain access to accounts or systems by attempting numerous password combinations until the correct one is found. None of these terms specifically describe a rogue Wi-Fi network that masquerades as a legitimate one, hence the term "evil twin" is the accurate choice.