U.S. counterspy warns World Cup travelers' devices could be
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:48 am
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa- ... SKBN1J82YX
Exclusive: U.S. counterspy warns World Cup travelers' devices could be hacked
Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. counterintelligence official is advising Americans traveling to Russia for football’s World Cup beginning this week that they should not take electronic devices because they are likely to be hacked by criminals or the Russian government.
Soccer Football - World Cup - Sochi, Russia - June 12, 2018 General view of a World Cup sign in Sochi REUTERS/Hannah McKay
In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, William Evanina, an FBI agent and the director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned World Cup travelers that even if they think they are insignificant, hackers could still target them.
“If you’re planning on taking a mobile phone, laptop, PDA, or other electronic device with you - make no mistake - any data on those devices (especially your personally identifiable information) may be accessed by the Russian government or cyber criminals,” he said.
“Corporate and government officials are most at risk, but don’t assume you’re too insignificant to be targeted,” Evanina added. “If you can do without the device, don’t take it. If you must take one, take a different device from your usual one and remove the battery when not in use.”
Exclusive: U.S. counterspy warns World Cup travelers' devices could be hacked
Reuters Staff
3 MIN READ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. counterintelligence official is advising Americans traveling to Russia for football’s World Cup beginning this week that they should not take electronic devices because they are likely to be hacked by criminals or the Russian government.
Soccer Football - World Cup - Sochi, Russia - June 12, 2018 General view of a World Cup sign in Sochi REUTERS/Hannah McKay
In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, William Evanina, an FBI agent and the director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned World Cup travelers that even if they think they are insignificant, hackers could still target them.
“If you’re planning on taking a mobile phone, laptop, PDA, or other electronic device with you - make no mistake - any data on those devices (especially your personally identifiable information) may be accessed by the Russian government or cyber criminals,” he said.
“Corporate and government officials are most at risk, but don’t assume you’re too insignificant to be targeted,” Evanina added. “If you can do without the device, don’t take it. If you must take one, take a different device from your usual one and remove the battery when not in use.”