The FBI has issued a public announcement this week highlighting a COVID 19 induced spike in telework from hotel setting and linked cyber security risks for patrons.
In the wake of the pandemic and stagnant travel business, many hotel chains creatively pitch daytime room reservations to protect their bottom line. They try to allure WFH guest by offering sterile, distraction-free work environment, away from so called home offices and free and fast WI-FI.
How it’s done?
Hackers are poised to steal personal data and take over hotel guests’ laptops/phones by means of an “evil twin attack”. They install and create an alternative WAP and wireless network that mimic the name of the hotel’s real WI-FI service. Once the unsuspecting victims unknowingly connect to the malicious WI-FI and stay connected for the work hours, unexpected things can take place behind the scenes.
How to protect yourself?
If you intend to use hotel offered setting to do telecommuting work and are concerned about security risks, you can do the following:
- do not connect to hotel WI-FI at all and use your own mobile hotspot or mobile data card instead
- take advantage of VPN to encrypt any sensitive data transferred from/to your device
- always make sure to keep security updates and patches current on your computer equipment
- consult with the hotel staff about specific of connecting to their WI-FI i.e. captive portal details, security options to ensure you’re connecting to the right WI-FI
How to tell if you got hacked?
So one can tell of their laptop or smartphone may have been compromised after being connected to hotel’s WI-FI? Per FBI there is a number telltale signs to watch out for:
- laptop / mobile device starts to run slowly or erratically
- apps are launching on their own
- increased pop-up ads and website redirections while browsing the web
- computer running hotter than usual and battery lifespan decreases
- cursor moving “on its own”
- an increase of unwanted emails, text messages and/or calls
While these symptoms may appear obvious they can be easily ignored or missed as one is immersed in their work.