[July 27, 2016]

Media Alert: Security Tips for 2016 Olympic Travelers

With the 2016 Olympic Games opening on August 5, hundreds of thousands of tourists will soon be traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And while major international events like the Summer Olympics are exciting for travelers, they are also popular targets for cyber criminals. In addition to targeting visitors in Rio, cyber criminals have also been targeting Olympic travelers with counterfeit tickets and fraudulent travel packages. These scams can lead to the loss of important personal information and financial data.

"Any time there's a major event that grabs people's attention, attackers will take advantage of it," said Tim Erlin, senior director of IT security and risk strategist for Tripwire (News - Alert). "Consumers need to be vigilant about scams pertaining to the Olympics. There's a measurable increase in the propensity to click when the subject is of strong interest. It's a kind of 'clickformation' bias that drives one to hit that button. If it seems too good to be true, don't click. Erring on the side of caution can go a long way in protecting yourself."

"With almost half a million people forecasted to travel to Rio, your physical and cyber safety should be high on your packing list," said Mandy Huth, director of cyber security for Belden, Tripwire's parent company. "If you are heading to Rio, take a few minutes to review your security hygiene. Good cyber security will help you avoid potential cyber attacks and scams when you see your favorite events."

Huth and Erlin offer the following cyber security tips for Olympic travelers:

Be physically aware of your laptop and mobile devices at all times. Visible devices can make you a target for physical and virtual crime. If you don't need these devices, don't take them. If you must take your devices, keep them out of sight. Smart phones and laptops are frequent targets of grab and go theft.
• Ensure your computer has whole disk encryption. Securely encrypted data is safe, even if stolen. In order to maximize encryption protection, use 'Hibernate' or 'Shut Down' modes with your laptop. Sleep mode does not invoke encryption protection.
• Have your screensaver set to auto lock based on inactivity. Five minutes is the maximum time before auto lock kicks in. It's also a good idea to require a password to unlock your computer and always lock your computer before you step away.
• Do not use public Wi-Fi. You can set up or purchase a private hot spot or use a virtual private network (VPN). VPN provides you with an encrypted channel and enhances privacy protection.
• Don't accept promotional USB sticks. Most security savvy companies have stopped handing out USB sticks, as they can easily be infected with malware. Putting an unknown USB stick into your device is simply asking for trouble.
• Use a laptop privacy filter on your screen. Shoulder surfing can lead to information loss. Make sure that casual observers can't take advantage with information they see flashing across your screen.