Here are some GOLD Olympic cyber safety tips to share around, to keep sports fans safe online…
The Olympic Games serve as a global platform transforming athletes into international celebrities.
However, as background information about these athletes may not be readily available, cybercriminals may misappropriate their likeness using advanced deepfake technology to create and spread defamatory fake news, causing confusion and misinformation.
![](https://cybersecasia.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Stanley-Hsu-Regional-Vice-President-Asia-Mimecast-2.jpg)
Here are some GOLD tips to stay vigilant with, as we enjoy watching the events:
G: Guard against unsolicited communications
- Be cautious of emails, messages, or social media posts claiming to offer exclusive content, raffles, or urgent updates especially if they appear unsolicited. Cybercriminals often use these tactics to lure victims to fraudulent sites.
- Be vigilant against scammers impersonating athletes or officials seeking personal information or financial transactions through unsolicited communications.
O: Only rely on official sources
- Rely only on official Olympic channels and trusted news outlets for updates and information. Bookmark the official Olympic website and use it as your primary source for schedules, results, and news.
- If you receive communication that seems to be from an official Olympic entity, verify its authenticity before responding or clicking on any links. Check the official website or contact customer support directly.
L: Look for secure connections
- Always verify the website address before clicking on a link or entering personal information. Look for slight misspellings, extra characters, or unfamiliar or suspicious looking domain names (or homoglyphs in the name). Official Olympic websites will use recognizable and consistent URLs.
- Ensure the website uses HTTPS, indicated by a padlock icon in the address bar, which signifies a secure connection. However, be aware that HTTPS alone does not guarantee legitimacy, so still check the URL carefully.
D: Do not share personal information, and enable 2FA
- Be cautious about sharing personal details online, especially on social media or unfamiliar websites. Cybercriminals can use this information to craft more convincing phishing attempts.
- Wherever possible, enable multi-factor authentication for your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password.
By staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself from these scams and safely enjoy the Games.
(Editor’s note: more cybersecurity tips can be found here).