WASHINGTON — When you think of hack attacks, you probably picture cybercriminals stealing your money, or your personal information, which could lead to the loss of your money as well. But hackers increasingly have a new target: your frequent-flier miles and hotel points.
CIO.com reports that these forms of currency are becoming increasingly targeted for a simple reason: They’re relatively easy to get. While banks and credit card companies have gotten serious about cybersecurity, airlines and hotel chains mostly haven’t.
“Criminals are still going after the liquid assets in banks and credit cards, but they’ve found those sites have been locked down,” Patrick Peterson, the founder and CEO of the email security company Agari. “It’s much harder to do something with airline miles and hotel points, but it’s much easier to get your hands on.”
Only a couple of travel-related sites are rated “safe” by Agari including Booking.com and Delta Air Lines.
Points and miles might not be as valuable as straight cash, but they can be monetized, Peterson says. And hackers also have the advantage over consumers, who might not realize their accrued benefits are gone.
Peterson says the way to stay safe is simple: Don’t click links in emails from people you don’t know, and keep your passwords strong.
