IT Firm Warns Summer Olympics Likely to Correlate with Increase in Cybercrime

Invision Computer Support for Smart BusinessLocal Business IT Firm, Invision, Says Enjoy the Games, but Use Caution, Common Sense Online

Cybercriminals might use the 2012 Summer Olympic Games as an opportunity to ramp up malware, scams, data theft and DDoS attacks, as well as a platform for high-profile “hacktivism,” warns a May 17 report released by the Department of Homeland Security’s  (DHS) National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center,  “Strategic Outlook: 2012 Summer Olympic Games.”

Such major internationally newsworthy events have a history of attracting scams and cybercrime, so it’s no surprise that the DHS has urged businesses and individuals to use particular caution during the upcoming Olympic Games, the opening ceremonies for which are July 27 in London.

The Games’ own technological infrastructure is considered a prime target; the report estimates the 2008 Beijing Olympics were targeted roughly 12 million times a day. But the experts are warning that risks will also include “globally distributed Olympic-themed malware, spam campaigns and scams.”

The Olympics present an opportunity for criminals to profit through malware and scams. The DHS report cites one gang that made about $3.5 million online selling fake tickets  to the 2008 Olympic Games. During the same time period, the public reported an increase in Olympic-related spam and downloaded malware. A common method was redirecting users to fake phishing websites.

“Phishing and scams imitating official Olympic correspondence or offering tickets have already begun circulating in the wild,” the DHS report says. These have included Olympic travel-related scams that trick victims into sharing personal information, as well as spam with Olympic-themed attachments that download malware.

Another criminal tactic likely to increase during the games is search engine optimization (SEO) manipulation. By promoting sites so that they appear high in the search results for Olympics-related keywords, many unwitting users may find themselves on sites that distribute malware.

Malware is already commonly distributed through infected screensavers, images and icons. Innocent fans of popular athletes should be wary when downloading such media devoted to their favorite competitor.

And this will be the first Olympics where live streaming coverage of every event will be widely available, including coverage via mobile device. Fake video players, media tools and apps will become the vectors of choice for cybercriminals.

Finally, these “bad guys” will no doubt use social media to drive people to fake, phishing and scam sites. One old hoax that may turn up is the alleged “Olympic Torch Virus.” This is an old email forwarding hoax that made the jump to Facebook the last time it showed up. Typically a warning about a virus that will “burn up your hard drive,” this is the social media equivalent of a chain letter. Don’t be fooled into sharing it!

With all of these warnings of dire consequences, Invision still encourages people to enjoy the 2012 Olympics online. Just be a little bit extra paranoid and follow all the usual clean and safe computing advice you’ve heard before.

Need a refresher course? Visit Stop.Think.Connect, a business and consumer resource from the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). Businesses with particular concerns about securing their networks for the Olympic season should contact Invision for custom consulting and advice.

About Invision

For more than 10 years, smart businesses in the greater Kansas City Metro area have relied on Invision to maintain the health of their computers and business networks. Invision’s tech support experts are diagnosticians of computer problems. And like good physicians, they believe in preventative health. That’s why Invision carefully assesses a business and its technology needs for better resource management and less down time.

Invision offers a broad range of networking, security, programming and web development services. Its approach emphasizes communication between technical experts and your staff. Invision experts are senior level engineers who have experience in all aspects of network engineering and PC support. Whether it’s technology strategy, management of a network or simply supporting the desktop, Invision’s experts have the experience to take on any project.