Fake Wi-Fi Hotspot: Setup Guide

G5 Cyber Security

2 weeks ago

TL;DR

Yes, you can create a fake Access Point (AP) using your wireless card and software like hostapd and dnsmasq on Linux. This allows you to simulate a Wi-Fi network, potentially for testing or educational purposes. Be aware that creating a fake AP to intercept data is illegal in many jurisdictions. This guide focuses on the technical setup; ethical use is your responsibility.

Setting Up a Fake Access Point

Check Your Wireless Card’s Capabilities: Not all wireless cards support AP mode (also known as Master Mode). Use
```
iwconfig
```
in the terminal. Look for ‘Mode: Managed, Master’. If you only see ‘Managed’, your card might not work.
- If it says ‘Master’ or has multiple modes including ‘Master’, proceed to step 2.
- If it doesn’t support AP mode, you may need a different wireless adapter.
Install Required Software: You’ll need hostapd (for creating the access point) and dnsmasq (for providing DHCP and DNS services).
```
sudo apt update
```
```
sudo apt install hostapd dnsmasq
```
Configure hostapd: Create a configuration file for your AP.
```
sudo nano /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
```
Add the following (adjust as needed):
```
interface=wlan0
```
```
driver=nl80211
```
```
ssid=MyFakeWiFi
```
```
hw_mode=g
```
```
channel=6
```
```
wpa=2
```
```
wpa_passphrase=yourpassword
```
```
wpa_key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
```
```
auth_algs=1
```
```
wpa_pairwise=TKIP CCMP
```
```
rsn_pairwise=CCMP
```
Replace wlan0 with your wireless interface name, MyFakeWiFi with the desired network name (SSID), and yourpassword with a strong password.

Configure dnsmasq: Create a configuration file for dnsmasq.

sudo nano /etc/dnsmasq.conf

Add the following:

interface=wlan0

dhcp-range=192.168.4.2,192.168.4.20,255.255.255.0,12h

dhcp-option=3,192.168.4.1

dhcp-option=6,8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4

Replace wlan0 with your wireless interface name.

Enable IP Forwarding: Allow traffic to be routed through the AP.
```
sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
```
To make this permanent, edit
```
/etc/sysctl.conf
```
and uncomment or add the line:
```
net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
```
, then run
```
sudo sysctl -p
```

Start the Access Point: Start hostapd and dnsmasq.

sudo systemctl unmask hostapd

sudo systemctl enable hostapd

sudo service hostapd start

sudo systemctl restart dnsmasq

Bring Up the Wireless Interface: Ensure your wireless interface is up.
```
sudo ifconfig wlan0 up
```
Replace wlan0 with your wireless interface name.
Test the Access Point: Connect to ‘MyFakeWiFi’ (or whatever SSID you chose) from another device. Check if it receives an IP address in the 192.168.4.x range and can access the internet (if configured).

Important Considerations

Legal Implications: Creating a fake AP to intercept data is illegal. This guide is for educational purposes only.
Security Risks: A poorly secured AP can be vulnerable to attacks. Use strong passwords and consider additional security measures.
Driver Compatibility: Some wireless drivers may not fully support AP mode.