Brit holidaymakers warned to boost smartphone and laptop security after cyber-crooks hack hotel Wi-Fi
The Russian cyber thugs have already targeted seven countries...
RUSSIAN cyber attackers are preying on Brit tourists staying in fancy European hotels, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has said.
The hackers from the Fancy Bear group, reportedly involved in the US election email scandal, have already targeted "mid-upmarket hotels" in seven EU countries.
The cyber crooks create "fake Wi-Fi hot spots" to access their victim's personal information.
Holidaymakers have been urged to avoid "insecure" Wi-Fi networks and boost their smartphone and laptop security with "two-step" verification for their emails.
The two-step verification means accounts can only be accessed with the pin number sent to the user's mobile phone.
Guidance from the agency's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said travellers should also avoid making card payments and sending sensitive information over the internet.
A spokesman said tourists should "use a strong, separate password for your email and install the latest software and app update".
"Fancy Bear have allegedly been seeking access to hotel Wi-Fi networks to install malware on guest devices connecting to targeted networks.
"According to researchers, the attackers may have been able to gain access to victim’s data, including emails, and to harvest online credentials," the spokesman added.
Plush Middle Eastern hotels are also at risk, amid reports foreign government and business travellers are also targets.
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The spokesman urged travellers to "be aware of their digital security when travelling overseas".
"Where possible, travellers are advised not to connect to insecure or un-trusted Wi-Fi networks."
MPs are said to be using the two-step system to access their emails from abroad and protect themselves from another cyber attack.
Parliamentary officials were forced to lock MPs out of their own accounts in a desperate bid to keep the hackers from accessing key or classified information.