U.S. Warns Travelers' to World Cup "Your Electronic Devices Could Be Hacked"

According to Reuters (June 12, 2018) The top U.S. counterintelligence official is advising Americans traveling to Russia for football’s World Cup beginning this week that they should not take electronic devices because they are likely to be hacked by criminals or the Russian government.

In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, William Evanina, an FBI agent and the director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, warned World Cup travelers that even if they think they are insignificant, hackers could still target them.

“If you’re planning on taking a mobile phone, laptop, PDA, or other electronic device with you - make no mistake - any data on those devices (especially your personally identifiable information) may be accessed by the Russian government or cyber criminals,” he said.

“Corporate and government officials are most at risk, but don’t assume you’re too insignificant to be targeted,” Evanina added. “If you can do without the device, don’t take it. If you must take one, take a different device from your usual one and remove the battery when not in use.”
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Any international travel can increase the possibility of being targeted by criminal hackers or foreign governments. In travel to some countries, like China, this is almost a certainty. When traveling to Russia or Europe it is a possibility.

The U.S. National Counterintelligence Executive has provided a brochure "Traveling Overseas with Mobile Phones, Laptops, Personal Digital Assistants, and Other Electronic Devices" to help you protect your electronic devices while traveling.

The FCC (March 28, 2018) also provides Cybersecurity Tips for International Travelers.

Booking dot Com (May 4, 2017) offered some tips on How to Avoid Cyber Fraud While Travelling.

Additionally, remember that any electronic devices that you take with you when you leave the United States are subject to being searched when you return with them. The EFF has published a guide "Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border: Protecting the Data On Your Device" that can assist you in understanding your rights at the U.S. border.