Phishing: A Sneaky Cyber Threat
Hackers have set their sights on Ibiza hotels, employing sophisticated tactics like phishing to carry out cyberattacks. Manuel Sendino, the manager of the Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Federation (Fehif), explains the modus operandi behind phishing. Hackers send emails to hotels, appearing to be from their regular suppliers, but with a slight twist. The payment instructions redirect to a new account, seemingly harmless at first glance. However, the account is located in an undisclosed country, allowing hackers to siphon the funds and vanish without a trace. This alarming trend has prompted Fehif to issue warnings to its associates and urge vigilance against such practices.
Impersonation of Hotel Domain: A Cunning Scheme
Hackers don’t stop at phishing; they also resort to impersonating hotel domains and emails. In one detected scam, hackers use the hotel’s domain to send reservation confirmation emails through platforms like Booking.com. Tourists, believing the email to be legitimate, make payments to the account provided by the hackers, only to find their money disappearing into thin air. Upon arrival at the hotel, these unfortunate guests are shocked to discover that their rooms remain unpaid. Fehif advises hotels to bolster their domain and email security systems and report any such incidents to the Police’s cybercrime service and Booking.com promptly.
Unscrupulous Guests: Hotel Payment Scams
Apart from hackers, Fehif has also observed a different kind of threat – guests trying to leave without paying their bills. These guests resort to various tactics, and one such incident involved a group demanding accommodation beyond the capacity of the reserved room. Despite hotel staff’s explanations, the group became aggressive, making false accusations and demands for full refunds. After hours of disputes, they ultimately left without settling their dues.
Cybersecurity: A Vital Investment
To counter these cyber threats, Manuel Sendino recommends utilizing resources provided by incibe.es. The National Institute of Cybersecurity offers various free tools, including AntiBotnet service, a password manager, and the ConanMobile application. Incibe also provides cybersecurity training and a platform to report scams, empowering hoteliers to enhance their security measures and protect against hackers and scammers.
