Brazil 2014: Even power can be fake

Travellers going to the World Cup in Brazil need to be careful when logging onto free WiFi hotspots as 25% of them are unencrypted and can easily be intercepted. Users also need to pay close attention to where they charge their phones as USB outlets can steal data while charging a phone.

As data roaming charges for cell phones are generally very expensive, many travellers to the World Cup in Brazil will most likely opt to use free Wi-Fi access points, and probably not give much thought to security issues. This is a very risky approach, however, as all the data that is sent or received on open Wi-Fi networks could be intercepted. Passwords, PINs and other sensitive data could also fall into the hands of cybercriminals if public charging stations are used – in Brazil these publically available chargers may be malicious.

Insecure Wi-Fi Networks:

Kaspersky Lab security experts conducted research into Wi-Fi access in S√£o Paulo. They drove 100 km around the city and checked out more than 5,000 different access points popular among tourists – parks, malls, airports and other attractions. As a result of the study, it turned out that 26% of the 5,000 open Wi-Fi networks in S√£o Paolo don’t use any encryption.

With this in mind, the company’s experts prepared a list of recommendations for those travelling to S√£o Paolo for the 2014 World Cup:

Fake AC/DC Charging Points:

A malicious AC/DC charger in Brazil will still charge your battery, but at the same time it can silently steal information from your smartphone. The interception will happen via a USB connection, as the majority of plugs use this type of connection. In some cases these fake chargers can also install malware capable of tracking your location, stealing notes, contacts, pictures, messages as well as call records, saved passwords and even browser cookies.

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