DEF CON crowd suspected in fake-hotspot attack on Delta flight

Morgan Durrant, a Delta spokesperson, confirmed the details to Ars.

“One initial finding is an unauthorized WiFi network, which was not provided, operated, or supplied by Delta, was present onboard the aircraft for a short time during the flight,” Durrant told Ars via email.

Delta further noted that the flight’s safety was “never in question and no aircraft operating systems were affected,” and that no emergency was declared.

The actual onboard Wi-Fi was disabled for 30 minutes.

The Atlanta Police Department referred all inquiries to the FBI. Atlanta’s FBI bureau told Ars that it is looking into the matter.

Officials there noted that no arrests were made and that FBI agents did not meet the flight at the gate.

“FBI Atlanta is aware of reports regarding a potential Wi-Fi-related incident involving Delta Flight 591,” Tony Thomas, a spokesperson for FBI Atlanta, emailed Ars in a statement. “We are in contact with our local and corporate partners on this matter. We have no additional information to provide at this time.”

Reporting from Ars Technica contributed to this story.