Hotel Cyber Attacks: How to Avoid Them

A hotel is one of the most hazardous places to get hacked with cybercriminals just waiting for you to plug in and connect.

What are the ways travelers are hacked at their hotel rooms, and how can they protect themselves? Here’s what the cyber experts have to say.

Protect your Hotel Wi-Fi Connection

Every public Internet connection has an increased risk of being used by cybercriminals, and hotel Wi-Fi is no exception. Hackers can use a hotel’s Wi-Fi to steal travelers’ passwords and personal information in two ways. One is to connect to the hotel’s Wi-Fi and install malicious malware. The second is to create a so-called “evil twin” – a fake, unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot with an unsuspicious name like “Guest Wi-Fi” or “Free Hotel Wi-Fi” – and steal private information this way.

To avoid being hacked through hotel Wi-Fi, travelers must take a few steps. First, ask the person at the reception desk to give the exact name and password for the provided Wi-Fi to avoid connecting to an ‘evil twin’ network. Second, use a VPN service to encrypt your data and prevent third parties from intercepting it. Finally, it is always a good idea to enable a firewall while using public Wi-Fi.

Use a Socket Instead of a USB Charger

For the convenience of visitors, some hotels install USB charging ports in hotel rooms. This is a tempting way to charge a device, especially if the traveler is coming from a location with a different kind of plug. However, it may introduce the risk of becoming a victim of cybercriminals. Hackers can modify public places’ charging cables to install malware on phones to perform an attack called juice jacking. This type of attack allows hackers to steal users’ passwords, credit card information, address, name, and other data.

Safe device charging on your way to your vacation spot might be challenging because you must carry a power bank or USB data blocker, but hotel rooms always have a socket. Usually, it’s the safest way to charge your devices.

Don’t Let the TV Cyberstalk You

With an established connection to local Wi-Fi to allow travelers to access apps and streaming platforms, a smart TV can become a gateway for cybercriminals….