As you may know, the Rio Olympic Games are in full swing (Michael Phelps has already won 3 more gold medals as of this writing, in case you’re wondering). The Games are always a big topic of conversation, but this time around there are a few more, let’s say, “subtopics” being discussed. First there were all of the delays and corruption issues and the genuine concern as to whether Rio would even be ready for the games in time. Then there was – and continues to be – the big Zika virus scare, prompting several athletes to sit this one out (sorry, but you won’t be seeing Steph Curry on the court with Kevin Durant and Draymond Green and the other Dream Teamers, or half of the PGA, down in Rio this year). Then there was the issue of physical security, with over 85,000 armed soldiers and police assigned to maintain law and order in and around the Olympic grounds, and with a number of assaults and robberies (of both Olympians and fans) being reported in just the first few days of the competition. Now, concerns have risen that the largest threat to visitors won’t actually be polluted air and water, or muggings or burglaries, but will actually be virtual, and of the cyber variety.
US officials have been warning tourists for months about the potential cybersecurity threats surrounding the Olympic Games. The State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council issued a report declaring Brazil to be “one of the most pervasive cybercrime environments worldwide.” Meanwhile, Brazilian officials have stated that they’re expecting about 500,000 tourists to attend the Rio games, which is clearly a huge draw for cyberattackers.
Many think the greatest cybersecurity concern is personal smart devices, with email and social media accounts, social security numbers, applications and passwords being the prizes. Unfortunately, the bigger concern is the gold, silver and bronze being carried around in everyone’s wallets – in the form of those shiny debit and credit cards. Brazil is one of the leaders in developing new and innovative ways to hack credit and debit cards. Hackers are prepping to sell passwords and PIN numbers to buyers who will then use that information to hack into users’ credit and bank accounts. Studies show a rise in black market sales, presumably exactly this stolen credit card and login data, beginning in late July…just around the time the athletes and attendees started arriving. Coincidence? I think not.
Just in the five days since the Olympics began, there have been reports of thousands of credit cards being hacked and cloned. This has left a commensurate number of tourists and attendees stranded without funds; having to deal with a security breach in a foreign country. A few Olympic athletes have even fallen victim as well. Most of these attacks have involved credit and debit cards without chips, but a few were actually hacked from chip-and-PIN machines. This is not good.
Add in some fraudulent emails, phishing attacks and social media account hacks and this summer in Rio is looking to be a veritable stomping ground for cybercriminals’ own version of the Olympic Games.
So while you’re watching the Olympics on your couch, wishing you could see Michael Phelps go for his 25th Olympic medal in person in Rio, remember you’re probably a lot safer, physically and virtually, in your living room, knowing your smart devices and credit cards are at least relatively safe.
