McAfee warns of new digital scams

Regular travellers are all too aware of various online scams but need to exercise particular caution when booking independently online, security experts at McAfee have warned. 

"It's important to strike a balance between the excitement of planning and the need for vigilance,” Vonny Gamot, a regional head at McAfee said:

“Cyber criminals are like digital pickpockets, using the lure of holiday seasons to trick unsuspecting [travellers] with too-good-to-be-true deals. 

"With the rise of AI, these scams have become more realistic and more common.

“We’re urging all holidaymakers to stay vigilant online and think twice before clicking on a link or sharing credit card details. By doing this, you’ll be protecting your privacy and identity, as well as your finances.”

Travel news hub Travel Mole reports that Gamot recommends customers double check they are on an official booking site by making sure the web address is a prefix ‘https’ and not just ‘http’. It often appears as a little padlock icon in the address bar of the browser.

“Also be wary of any text or email offering too-good-to-be-true holiday deals or ‘fast-track’ passport renewals.

“If ever in doubt over the legitimacy of an email or link, don’t engage with it and go direct to the source. 

"While dreaming about your next adventure, don’t let cyber criminals turn it into a nightmare.”

Image: Saruvut Vanset, Scop.io

How to stay a step ahead of travel cybercriminals

Over the past few weeks I have received a number of emails ostensibly from Booking.com.

I've had complaints about the standards of accommodation that I've provided to my guests.

I've had queries about local offerings that future guests should know about, and threats to shut down my business if I do not respond to various complaints.

I do not offer any accommodation, but the fact I write about travel appears to have attracted the eye of various scammers (all with dodgy email addresses) urging me to click on a link so my problems can be resolved.

Just another scam for the unwary to watch out for.

Cybercriminals are sharpening their tactics to exploit unsuspecting consumers with a rise in various ranges of fraudulent activity prompting the travel industry to examine online safety measures.

Booking.com, a leader in travel and accommodation services and the company my pesky correspondents pretend to represent, has stepped up to offer essential advice to travellers on how to stay vigilant and protect their personal information in an era of rampant online bastardry. 

Recent data from the Identity Theft Resource Centre shows data breaches increased by 14% year-over-year during the first half of 2024.

With an estimated 3.4 billion phishing emails circulating daily, the digital landscape is more dangerous than ever.

Cybercriminals are leveraging increasingly sophisticated methods, including social engineering, phishing scams, and fake booking sites, to trick consumers into revealing personal or financial information.

To help combat the growing risk of cyber fraud in the travel sector, Booking.com has shared safety tips that travellers should consider before hitting the “book now” button.

It is crucial to ensure that any website where you share data is secure. Cybercriminals frequently exploit trust, pretending to represent reputable organizations or individuals to deceive their victims.

The key to avoiding such attacks is maintaining a sceptical mindset. If you receive unsolicited requests for personal or financial information, avoid clicking on links or opening attachments. Instead, contact the organisation or individual directly through official channels to verify the request.

There are a few common red flags to watch out for, including language demanding urgent action. Also look out for spelling or grammatical errors. And make sure email addresses match the official domain.

When booking accommodation online, it’s essential to scrutinise the payment and damage deposit policies. Scammers often create urgency by asking for large sums of money to be transferred within 24 hours to “secure” a booking. They may also request payments via third-party platforms, which is a significant red flag.

Be careful out there people. 

What if a computer glitch halted all flights? It just did

Ever thought how reliant the travel industry is on computers?

People across the US found out today after flights nationwide were halted by a computer glitch.

The nationwide halt on departures was ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration. It left thousands of people stranded at airports across the country. 

The Reuters news agency reported more than 10,0000 flights were delayed and thousands more cancelled. It was the biggest disruption to flights since the terrorist attacks on US soil on September 11, 2001.

The agency reported that airlines were confident that normal operations could largely return by Thursday.

The cause of the problem was unclear, but US officials initially said they had found no evidence of a cyberattack.