The World Cup brings exciting matches, passionate fans, and unfortunately, many opportunities for cybercriminals. Threat Actors know people are searching for tickets, steaming services, merchandise, and match updates, making the World Cup a prime target for scams.
Threats to Watch For
- Phishing emails and texts offering “exclusive” tickets, giveaways, or match updates
- Fake streaming websites promising free access to games
- Fraudulent merchandise stores selling counterfeit products or stealing payment information
- World Cup-themed scams designed to trick users into revealing passwords or personal data
How to Stay Safe
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your accounts
- Verify website URLs before entering login credentials or payment information
- Make sure you know where the link came from and confirm if the URL matches the official website
- Only use trusted and authorized streaming platforms
- Think twice before clicking links in text messages, emails, or social media posts
- Report any suspicious messages to cirt@utmb.edu
Final Whistle
Just like a championship team relies on a strong defense, good cybersecurity habits keep attackers off the scoreboard. This World Cup season, stay alert, think before you click, and don’t let cybercriminals score a winning goal!
