What are the Cybersecurity Threats Facing the 2022 Winter Olympics?

Cybersecurity apprehensions surrounding the Olympics have been prevalent for the past few Olympic games, but the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics have brought on a new set of concerns as it relates to technology.

In 2020, the Tokyo Olympics incurred over 450 million cyber-related incidents, far superseding the number seen during the 2012 London Summer Olympics. For these Olympics, FBI Director Christopher Wray commented on his fears of the host city being situated in China, as the Chinese government has allegedly carried out repeated cyberattacks against Americans in an attempt to steal information and technology from U.S. companies.

As a result, Olympic athletes have been advised to use temporary cell phones while at the Games. Government agencies across the globe have also warned athletes of apps like My 2022 which is used to track players’ health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, despite it not being secure.

While these are dangers which affect the athletes, viewers of the 2022 Winter Olympics should also use caution when trying to watch the Games. According to Dr. Francis Gaffney, DirectorMimecast Labs & Future Operations, there are 2 major potential threats that viewers should watch out for:

1. Typosquattting– This is a type of campaign that cybercriminals use to install malware or steal sensitive information. Check sites for typographical errors before clicking on links within seemingly familiar websites, as these criminals sometimes create fake websites that mimic the official Olympics’ site to prey upon unwary users who may mistype what they actually want to search for.
2. Fake streaming sites– Cybercriminals will often create fake streaming websites that promise viewers free access to the Games. Similar to typosquatting, any login credentials or “free trial” payment information be harvested by threat actors and either used to install malware, or may be sold on the Dark Web. To stay safe while watching the games, keep an eye out for typos on seemingly legitimate sites and don’t visit sites that promise free streaming services of the Olympics.

If you’re interested in discussing internet safety and ensuring that your credentials are safe, you can email us at info@OptfinITy.com or call us at (703) 790-0400.