Read more about CyberSecurity at the Paris Olympic Games:
A new report has unveiled an increase in malignant online activities prior to the Paris Olympic Games, which started on July 26, 2024.
The new data, published by CyberSecurity Researchers at BFOREAI, shows that threat actors have used the popularity of the event by setting up fake -social media accounts, shops and ticket systems, and launching fraudulent cryptocurrencies.
The researchers analyzed newly registered domains (NRDS) two weeks before the Olympic Games. Include their findings:
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166 Unique domains with signs of abuse of DNS, such as keyword filling and typosquats
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Domains often used unconventional and suspicious top level domains (TLDs) such as .xyz, .win, .stream, .mobi, .shop, .store and .info
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Variations and common spelling errors of “Olympic Games” (eg “Olymplics,” “Olympics”) were used to catch MissyPed domain names
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Keywords related to the Olympic Games and specific years or events (eg “Paris2024”, “Olympics2024”) were used heavily to pull traffic
These tactics improved both the visibility of the search engine of these malignant locations and their observed legitimacy, which improves their chances of successfully focusing on potential victims.
Read more about threats that are aimed at the Olympic Games: Paris 2024 Olympic Games opposite escalating cyber threats
Impact on consumers
In the reportBFOREAI warned that the fake -Olympic store domains in particular are a considerable risk, because they cheat fans who want to buy official merchandise and experiences.
This can lead to considerable financial losses for consumers and damage the reputation of legitimate suppliers.
BFOREAI also noted that cyber criminals have made fake websites that sell Olympic tickets that are designed to harvest personal information and payment data from users. The stolen data can then be sold on the dark web or are used in future financial scams.
Additional threats
In addition to ticket and merchandise scams, the research emphasized the rise of SCAM Cryptocurrency coins and tokens that were brought to the market with the help of Olympic-related branding.
Such diagrams were previously published during other major events such as the FIFA World Cup and often result in considerable financial losses for investors.
In addition, BFOREAI noted how unauthorized live streaming websites that offer free access to Olympic events that can harm official media broadcasters, which may influence the income of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Protective measures for fans
To guarantee a safe Olympic experience, BFOREAII fans called on:
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Only trust official Olympic websites and social media channels
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Do not click on suspect links and buying tickets from unofficial sources
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Check the authenticity of websites hosted on unknown TLDs
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Stay free from investing in cryptocurrencies made exclusively for the Olympic Games,
Reporting fake-Olympic websites on social media can also help promote a safer online environment.