FBI warns travellers to beware attacks via hotel Wi-Fi

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 9 May 2012 at 09:37

Hackers are targeting foreigners' laptops using hotel Wi-Fi, the Internet Crime Complaint Centre and FBI have warned.

According to an intelligence note from IC3, the malware is spread via pop-up windows during login, with the code download disguised as a legitimate software update.

“Analysis from the FBI and other government agencies demonstrates that malicious actors are targeting travellers abroad through pop-up windows while establishing an internet connection in their hotel rooms,” the IC3 said.

Checking the author or digital certificate of any prompted update to see if it corresponds to the software vendor may reveal an attempted attack

“In these instances ... the pop-up window appeared to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available. If the user clicked to accept and install the update, malicious software was installed on the laptop.”

The officials didn't explain what the malware actually did, but the FBI warned that anyone travelling overseas, and particularly on governmental or private-sector business, should take extra care when abroad and plan a pre-departure update schedule.

“Checking the author or digital certificate of any prompted update to see if it corresponds to the software vendor may reveal an attempted attack,” the note said.

“The FBI also recommends that travellers perform software updates on laptops immediately before travelling, and that they download software updates directly from the software vendor’s website if updates are necessary while abroad.”