Hacking Risk At Rio Olympics, Warn US Officials

Hacking Risk At Rio Olympics, Warn US Officials

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Before they’ve even started, the Rio Olympics are already plagued with numerous issues jeopardising the security of visitors, players, and residents alike. From the Zika virus, through political instability, and known terror threats against the Games, to the newest warning issued to travellers: hacking. US intelligence officials are waning American travellers planning to attend the Games and other foreign destination that they could become the targets of hackers and cyber criminals planning to steal confidential information, whether personal or business related.

America’s top counter-intelligence official, Bill Evanina, is advising to use “clean” devices while abroad, USA Today reports. The Games, apart from drawing the world’s top athletes, will also present a “great playground” for intelligence services and criminals, Evanina says, due to the “sheer number of devices” present.

“When you travel abroad, assume that your personal information will be breached,’’ Evanina said.

The US government has now launched a multimedia campaign to warn travellers against the increased risk. The “Know the Risk; Raise Your Shield” program advises travellers of the danger and suggests practicing extreme caution.

Among the precautions Evanina suggests to take are: leaving unnecessary devices at home, backing up all data and storing copies at secure locations, changing passwords at regular intervals during travel and upon return, avoiding prolonged sessions on local WiFi networks, and submitting company devices for examination on return.

Similar concerns were raised before the 2008 Olympics in China and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, but due to the growing prevalence of smart devices the risk is far greater now.