Logicalis warn football fans about Euro 2016 ransomware risk

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Cybercriminals are using Euro 2016 as the latest way to infect computers with ransomware.

Football fans are at risk of downloading the malware by clicking on fake links when they google for Euro 2016 schedules or other information related to the sporting events.

Tom Bale, Business Development and Technical Director, Logicalis, said: “Cybercriminals latch on to any opportunity that might make people more likely to download their viruses and Euro 2016 is such a popular event a lot of people will be searching for information about it.

“The Cybercriminals may set up websites that look like official sites that users would trust. They pay to get the sites high up in Google’s rankings so they appear in searches for Euro 2016.

“A client of ours was hit by ransomware this week. The user who infected the site told us he was searching Google for Euro 2016 schedules, and he clicked a link to download what sounds like an iCal type file to enter all matches into his Outlook calendar.

“This downloaded the Locky ransomware malware which started to encrypt the servers, their drop box folders etc. There will be plenty of this out there.”

Logicalis provide integrated IT solutions and managed services to offshore clients. Cybersecurity is a growing area of concern. Ransomware works by encrypting all your data (often including linked back ups) and locking it down until you pay a ransom. If you pay up, the cybercriminals may then provide a key unlocking the data, or they will destroy it.

Tom said: “Websites infected with Ransomware and other nasties are on the increase so be extra careful what you click on. It’s very easy for one person to end up putting their own, and their company’s systems at risk. We would like to warn people about this and advise to ‘think before you click’.”