The riskiest destinations for cyber crime

When visiting unfamiliar places, travellers often have their wits about them when it comes to avoiding being physically robbed or targeted by scammers at busy destinations.

But what about being targeted online?

Data61 cybersecurity expert, Dr Dali Kaafar explains how criminals are now targeting your online identity, seeking out two types of information:

User credentials – hacking into personal accounts by gaining user logins and passwords, banking logins, etc.
User identities – compiling lists of valid email address, social media accounts and online profiles that then become spam targets

According to Hold Security, there are an estimated 360 million credentials and 1.25 billion email addresses that cyber criminals are currently selling on the virtual black market.

Many tourists aren’t aware of the very real danger presented by cunning cyber hackers, who might pick your virtual pocket in ways you wouldn’t even imagine.

One such tactic used by cyber hackers is the ‘Free WiFi!’ hotspot, used to lure in the unsuspecting traveller with the tempting promise of unmetered data usage.

And there are certain places, usually those with higher foot traffic, where visitors are at a higher risk of online crime.

Here’s Skycure’s list of the top fifteen most dangerous spots for cyber crime:

Times Square, New York City
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallee, France
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Ocean Park, Hong Kong
Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas
Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood, California
Union Station, Washington D.C.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston
Disneyland Park, Anaheim, California
Navy Pier, Chicago
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando
Pike Place Market, Seattle

On the other side of the fence, the Sydney Opera House makes it into the top five safest spots where visitors are at least risk of cyber crime.

Findings also suggested that Android users were twice as vulnerable to cyber crime than iOS users.

Staying Cyber Safe

However, don’t let the presence of cyber hackers deter you from visiting these iconic, world-class destinations!

Savvy, travel-smart visitors can easily protect themselves from petty cyber crime simply by being aware and careful when using their mobile devices abroad.

Skycure and Dr Dali have these handy hints to help protect your virtual pocket from cyber crime when discovering abroad:

Avoid “Free WiFi” networks.
Always use “https” when possible, by making it the default behaviour for installed apps and by enforcing “https” at the start of your web addresses/URLs when browsing
Update your device to the most current operating system.
Pay attention and read the warnings on your device and don’t click “Continue” if you don’t understand the exposure.
Disconnect from the network if your phone behaves strangely (e.g. frequent crashes) or you receive a warning notification.
Protect your device with a mobile security app, like Skycure

All in all, the best protection against cyber crime is simply being aware of the presence of virtual pickpockets and identity thieves, and not taking unnecessary risks with your mobile data when travelling.

Be cyber smart!

Feature Image: pikabu.ru

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

cyber crime Data61 hacking pickpocket security Skycure travel virtual pick pockets