With the arrival of the World Cup, the excitement for football is palpable, but beware, because not everything that glitters on the screen is gold. While fans are already planning how to watch the matches or searching for that dream trip to the North American host cities, cybercriminals have already set their own machinery in motion. It's a daily occurrence at major events: where there are many interested people, there are those who try to profit from the chaos, taking advantage of the fans' enthusiasm.
For those of you reading from Spain or anywhere else in Europe, the physical distance from the tournament doesn't make us immune. Most of us will be following the matches virtually, and that's where we can be targeted just as easily as a fan standing outside the stadium. It's estimated that the volume of cyberattacks grows exponentially during these weeks, particularly affecting sectors like leisure, travel, and hospitality, which are seeing a proliferation of suspicious websites using the championship's name as bait.
Fake entries and the danger of cloned domains
One of the biggest headaches today is the proliferation of websites that perfectly mimic FIFA's aesthetic. The FBI and various security agencies have already focused their attention on fraudulent URLs that barely change a single letter of the official domain, such as websites ending in "fiffa" or "fifa-online". On these sites, the lure is usually the sale of tickets for high-demand matches that are supposedly sold out through legitimate channels. The scammers request advance payments and, once they have the money, disappear, leaving the user without a ticket and with their bank account compromised.
Meta has taken action by integrating artificial intelligence systems into Facebook and Instagram to try and stem this bleeding. Now, when you search for information about tickets, you may receive pop-up notifications reminding you to buy only from verified sources. Even so, experts insist that the best course of action is to type the official address directly into your browser and never trust links received via WhatsApp or suspicious emails, as social engineering techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Pirated streaming: the trap of free matches
Many fans in Spain, due to the time difference or a lack of subscriptions, will look for alternative platforms to watch the matches live. This is where cybersecurity analysts have detected a very high risk: almost 40% of users cannot distinguish a legitimate streaming site from a fraudulent one. These platforms often ask you to register or download a small file or extension to "improve video quality," which is usually the entry point for malware that steals your passwords in the background.
Besides viruses, these sites often bombard users with ads promising incredible prizes or sweepstakes from brands like Coca-Cola or Visa. These are so-called phishing lotteries that notify you of a prize you never entered. To "claim" it, they ask for a small administrative fee or your personal information—a classic strategy that continues to work because it plays on the excitement of the moment. The golden rule is simple: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is a textbook example of digital advertising scams.
Risks in connectivity and the use of WiFi networks
If you're one of the lucky ones traveling to experience the atmosphere live, be very careful with free Wi-Fi networks in airports, plazas, or stadiums. It's been proven that one in six public networks in host cities is completely insecure. Attackers exploit these open connections to intercept all data traffic leaving your mobile phone, from private messages to banking app credentials. It's vital to avoid performing any sensitive tasks if you're not using a trusted network or, at the very least, a properly configured VPN connection.
Interestingly, many networks that appear to be protected with modern passwords still have WPS enabled, a protocol now considered obsolete and very easy to hack. This means that even if you see the padlock icon on your hotel's Wi-Fi connection, your information could be exposed to third-party surveillance. Researchers recommend prioritizing mobile data roaming over connecting to any unknown access point you find on the street, no matter how convenient it may seem.
Artificial intelligence at the service of deception
Technology has advanced so much that scammers are now using deepfakes to lend credibility to their lies. Manipulated videos are already circulating featuring football stars or public figures promoting supposed investment platforms or exclusive World Cup-related giveaways. Thanks to generative AI, they can clone voices and gestures with astonishing accuracy, which can make even the most experienced users suspicious. It is crucial to verify these claims with reliable news outlets before taking any action.
Nor should we forget the bots programmed to buy tickets en masse as soon as they go on sale, creating an artificial shortage that drives fans to illegal resale. In these high-pressure environments, urgency becomes security's worst enemy. Criminals know that if you're in a hurry to secure accommodation or a stadium pass, you'll pay less attention to security details and be more likely to accept exploitative terms or opaque payment methods like irreversible transfers.
To navigate safely in today's fast-paced digital environment, the key is to always remain vigilant and not be swayed by haste or market-disrupting offers. Ultimately, protecting our identity and finances depends on using common sense, being wary of unsolicited links, and relying on up-to-date security tools that block intrusion attempts before it's too late.
