Irish Travellers Urged to Stay Alert as Cyber Scams Surge Around Winter Olympics

Italian authorities have blocked a series of cyberattacks targeting Winter Olympics websites and hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo ahead of today's opening ceremony, prompting cybersecurity experts to warn Irish travellers about the wave of scams that typically accompany major global events.

While the attacks on Olympics infrastructure were reportedly prevented, ESET Ireland says the real threat for ordinary travellers is not high-level hacking but the flood of fake emails, cloned booking websites, and impersonation messages that criminals use to exploit the urgency surrounding large sporting events.

Fake ticket links, fraudulent accommodation offers, and messages posing as airlines, hotels, or official Olympic organisers are all part of a well-established pattern that spikes around events of this scale.

George Foley, cybersecurity specialist at ESET Ireland, said:

"Major events like the Olympics create urgency and pressure. People are booking late, changing plans and reacting quickly to messages about tickets or accommodation. That is exactly what scammers rely on. You do not need a successful cyberattack on Olympic systems for real harm to occur. Fake emails, cloned websites and impersonation messages are enough to cause disruption and financial loss."

ESET Ireland is advising travellers heading to the Milano Cortina Games to take several straightforward precautions. Links in emails, ads, or messaging apps claiming to relate to tickets, accommodation, or schedule changes should be avoided; travellers should go directly to official websites or apps instead.

Two-factor authentication should be enabled on email accounts and key travel services, as email takeover remains one of the most common ways criminals access bookings and payment details.

Messages claiming bookings have been cancelled or that urgent action is required should be treated with particular caution, especially where they ask for payment or direct users to unfamiliar links. Any changes involving money should be verified through a second channel.

Foley added:

"If you are travelling with family or a group, agree a simple rule in advance. Anything involving payment or a last-minute change gets checked twice. That alone can stop most scams."

The same advice applies to anyone following the Games from home, as fake livestreams, ticket giveaways, and social media promotions are also commonly used to spread malware or steal login details during high-profile international events.

For more information, visit ESET Ireland.