Cyberattacks on Online Vacation Booking Platforms on the Rise, German Authorities Warn
The number of attempted fraud and cyberattacks related to online vacation booking platforms is increasing, according to the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). In a statement to Business Insider, the BSI reported observing a rise in fraud attempts in the name of vacation portals, including Booking.com.
An inquiry to the data protection authorities of the German states reveals that over 100 such cases were reported in the past two years, with the most recent ones in this month. For instance, a hotel in Münster was targeted at the beginning of January, with the data of over 550 guests reportedly stolen, according to the hotel’s statement. The Münster police, as cited by Business Insider, described the attack as a phishing email, adding that the extent of the damage is still unclear and the investigation is ongoing.