WiFi Pineapple [nano & tetra]

Introduction: What’s WiFi Pineapple?

The WiFi Pineapple NANO and TETRA are the 6th generation auditing platforms for wireless networks invented by Darren Kitchen, the founder of Hak5. Pineapple looks similar to a typical access point (AP) but is loaded with a custom OS, called PineAP. It’s developed for mobile and persistent deployments, therefore it’s able to interface with hundreds of devices at a time. It’s relatively cheap ($100) and very easy to use/setup.

These two models/tools for wireless penetration tests is very useful for various types of attacks, thanks to PineAP which contains hacking arsenal. Through an intuitive and fast web interface, it enables you to connect using any device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. Moreover, the WiFi Pineapple’s web interface is optimized to execute complicated network attacks.

How It Works?

The Pineapple acts as a hot-spot honeypot to get naive or unwary users to connect to the device. As you have already noticed before, as soon as you enter the house, your mobile/tablet is automatically connected to the home network. That’s happening because WiFi devices are programmed to autoconnect to the last network they were on.

A WiFi Pineapple can detect these autoconnection attempts and dynamically create a wireless network that appears to be a trusted network to which you have previously connected. Once the connection is made, you can say bye bye to your data, since series of scripts can be executed to intercept your communication and collect personal information and passwords.

Everything will be compromised. So simple and invisible.

Features:

WiFi Pineapple NANO vs. WiFi Pineapple TETRA

The Pineapple NANO  is highly reliable, easily hidden, and good with power. Thanks to its small size, you can put it in your pocket and walk around trying to steal some data (evil smile). But, If you really need to reach out and gather as many SSIDs as possible, then you should use Pineapple TETRA. The WiFi Pineapple Tetra is a dual-band WiFi auditing and pentesting device, it is larger and have larger antennas. Check the comparative specs bellow.

WiFi Pineapple Specs [comparative view]

Hacking with Pineapple

The WiFi Pineapple is one of the most consumer-friendly pentesting and hacking devices. All you need is packaged in one device and equipped with an attractive and simple web UI. There are many reasons why a WiFi Pineapple might be useful and handy. With the ability to scan, target, intercept, report and of course to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, it becomes precious.

• The Wifi Pineapple NANO is pretty small and discrete which enables you to easily hide it, put it in pocket, etc.
• It allows you to set up a fake wifi connection attracting unknowing free wifi seekers who will unwittingly give away their personal details (bank accounts, login credentials, passwords, etc.).
• Even If you are a complete beginner, you’ll be able to perform man-in-the-middle attacks. You’ll find it very easy to setup and use. Well-written documentation is also available, as well as video tutorials.
• You can use MITM to perform phishing attacks, with ability to control device remotely.
• It has fairly intuitive UI and an incredibly robust series of tutorials, it can be used out by nearly anyone with minimal experience and the help of the Internet. But If you are a pro, you can cause some serious damage.
• It can be used to spoof Wi-Fi networks without access, through target network SSID, and then using a USB modem or tethering to connect the Pineapple to the internet.
• …

Conclusion

The Pineapple is a nifty little device. It is usually used by pentesters that attacks wifi networks in order to expose vulnerabilities, before “bad” guys. WiFi Pineapple is highly portable, very affordable for under $100 online (Hack5 Pineapple) and can be operated easily with minimal formal knowledge.