by Bill Singer
FBI Warns About Malware Attacks On Hotel Laptops
May 22, 2012
In a May 21, 2012, press release: "Malware Installed on Travelers' Laptops Through Software Updates on Hotel Internet Connections," the Federal Bureau of Investigation warns travelers about reports of laptops being infected with malicious software while using hotel Internet connections. The FBI explains that a traveler attempting to set up a hotel room Internet connection may be presented with a pop-up window notifying the user to update a widely used software product. If the user clicks to accept and install the update, malicious software is installed.
The FBI recommends that travelers abroad take extra caution before updating software products through their hotel Internet connection:
- Check the author or digital certificate of any prompted update to see if it corresponds to the software vendor
- Perform software updates on laptops immediately before traveling
- Download software updates directly from the software vendor's website if updates are necessary while abroad.
If you believe that you were a victim of such an attack, you can file a report at http://www.ic3-gov.
Bill Singer
