GCHQ has issued a warning that foreign travelers visiting Britain are vulnerable to cyber attacks launched by Russian Federation. Thus, as a precautionary measure, the UK’s Cyber Security and Intelligence agency is requesting the holiday makers to protect their mobile phones and laptops from “insecure” WiFi networks available in hotels, lodges, and dormitories across Britain.
GCHQ has found that at least 7 European countries witnessed hotels targeted by Russian hackers in the past 12 months and is predicting that the number will increase in this year’s holiday season. Therefore, the security agency is requesting holidaymakers to enable a 2-step authentication on their email accounts in order to secure their online activity from espionage related to tactics. Also, security experts from NCSC are urging the travelers to update their smart phones, tablets, and laptops with the latest software and app update.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that this alert applies very much to travelers visiting England on government projects and is also being extended to those visiting UK for corporate projects.
A spokesperson who issued a statement to ‘Sunday Telegraph’ has urged travelers to avoid using public Wi-Fi to make payments over the internet like booking train tickets, flight tickets and make hotel reservations online.
Since hackers can set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots, travelers visiting England are requested to avoid public Wi-Fi hotspots on an overall note.
Note 1- GCHQ is a Government Communications Headquarter which provides intelligence and security services to the British government and armed forces.
Note 2- NCSC abbreviated as National Cyber Security Center is an organization of UK that provides advice and support to public and private sectors on cyber security related threats.
