Original Post: How Cyberthreats Could Disrupt the Olympics
Cybersecurity experts are highly concerned as the 2024 Olympic Games are underway. The event has historically been a prime target for various cyberattacks, including those by cybercriminals, state-sponsored actors, and hacktivists, due to its global attention and substantial digital infrastructure. Previous Olympics have faced numerous cyber threats, such as the Olympic Destroyer malware in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and various phishing attacks and DDoS campaigns during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
The primary targets for cyberattacks typically include official websites, live streaming services, ticketing systems, and critical infrastructure. Expected threats during this year’s Olympics include ransomware attacks, state-sponsored espionage, DDoS attacks, phishing schemes, supply chain attacks, and insider threats.
There has been a notable surge in cyber activities targeting Olympic-related sites, with a 770,000% increase in vulnerability scanner activity from June to July. DDoS attacks on sports and travel websites have also increased significantly. Additionally, social engineering attacks using malicious applications like “Olympics Shop” are spreading, exploiting the event’s heightened visibility to commit financial scams.
New threats have emerged targeting Olympic athletes, with some attackers publishing sensitive personal information about participants. As the Olympic Games continue, it remains crucial for organizers and stakeholders to implement robust cybersecurity measures to focus on the competitive spirit rather than disruptive cyber incidents. The article promises a follow-up analysis after the Games to review the cybersecurity landscape.
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