Rio Olympics 2016 Safety and Security Latest News: The Ways Cybercriminals are Laying Traps for Rio Olympics Fans
For the 2016 Rio Olympics, many outlets are sharing about the security hazards visitors must be aware of and prepare in order to ensure their vacation remains a vacation. If one is planning to use the ATM, credit card, or debit card or if one plans to take their smartphone with them, then the following information may help.
There is a catch in cashless preparation that we have to take into consideration, reports from the Moscow-based and international sofftware security group Kaspersky Lab that cybercriminals are prolifirating in Rio as the Olympics draws near. The event is sure to be the center of the world's attention and tourists, enthusiasts, fans and thousands of others are sure to flock to the city one the games start. Rio is then going to be a propriety information mine for cybercriminals.
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The most common way for criminals to lure victims is through fake site and hacked networks where they can take a walk inside your valuable social media accounts, correspondence and personal files. They can use these information to screw money from the victims or sabotage your accounts, so be conscious about those dirty little secrets dug deep in your electronic device if you have any.
Kaspersky warned the Rio fanatics about using the USB charging ports deployed just anywhere or you risk the data on your phone. You are using mobile banking right? Probably, you are also storing sensitive data in your phone for easy access. Our advice to this is make sure that you don't plug your cable into the first port that you see. Just grab that inexpensive power bank from a tech shop or carry your charger to avoid running out of juice.
Another classic tactic for cybercriminals is through "phishing party" that victimized even the employees from the International Olympic Committee and thse black hats have cloned the IOC portal to capture personal information from the sports fans. Then they sent emails to the victims saying that IOC is giving away free tickets, cars and other freebies if they will register to an online account. Presto! Key in your personal information and credit card number, you will wake up one day with your credit card past its limit because the crooks have already cloned it.
Stealing info or money behind you back is one thing for black hats, but screwing money while you are in good faith trying to buy a ticket is another story. Kaspersky noted 230 well-thought-out fraudulent sites that offers tickets via black market. Unfortunately, most of the legit tickets were sold and now a rare commodity. The best way to obtain one is through high-risk sites selling them "second hand". Take note that even in Brazil, the only way for now to get a ticket is through lotteries. Just imagine how hard it is to get one nowadays.
US Warns its Citizen
According to counter intelligence chief, Bill Evanina that US citizens travelling to the Rio Olympic should raise their shields and make sure that they are carrying "clean" electronic devices. That means, freeing you phone of valuable data, security information or personal details that can be utilized against you.
Enanina states that the number of electronic devices that will surface in the Rio grid is mind boggling and this is sure to make the criminals happy. He also called Rio Olympics as a would be "black hat's playground".
To address the threat, Evanina assured that the US government is doing a timely multimedia campaign to raise awareness especially that most of the victims are caught unaware until the crime has been done against them.
Several precautions were listed by the National Counter-intelligence and Security Center, which are applicable not just to the Rio event but whenever travelling anywhere, Evanina added. These include;
• Leave unnecessary devices at home.
• Back up data on devices in use and leave those copies in secure locations at home.
• Change passwords at regular intervals during travel and on return.
• Avoid prolonged sessions on local Wi-Fi networks.
• Submit company devices for examination on return for presence of malware.
"When you travel abroad, assume that your personal information will be breached,'' Evanina further stressed to wrap up the warning.
