Originally published by ESET WeLiveSecurity
Cybercriminals have always been drawn to major sporting events. A combination of global brand awareness and an extensive digital footprint make them a popular option for opportunistic scammers. The Winter Olympics is no exception.
Fake ticketing sites have proliferated since Beijing 2008. State-aligned threat actors have even disrupted games, using wiper malware that shut down Wi-Fi hotspots and TV feeds during Pyeongchang 2018.
As the world prepares for Milano-Cortina 2026, sports fans should be vigilant about:
- Fake ticketing websites
- Phishing emails impersonating official organizers
- Malicious mobile apps
- Social media scams
- Streaming fraud
Stay safe by:
- Only purchasing tickets from official sources
- Verifying emails and links before clicking
- Using strong, unique passwords
- Enabling two-factor authentication
- Being skeptical of too-good-to-be-true deals