August 3, 2026

The sporting calendar gives fans plenty to look forward to every year. The FIFA World Cup has drawn huge global audiences, while key moments across rugby, cricket, tennis and motorsport will keep Aussies glued to their screens or heading overseas. Unfortunately, wherever large crowds gather online or in real life, cyber criminals see opportunity. A few simple precautions can help you enjoy every match, race or tournament without putting your personal information or money at unnecessary risk. Secure Devices Before Game Day Before a major event kicks off, take time to update your operating system, apps and web browser. Software updates contain security fixes that block new threats, making your phone or laptop harder for criminals to compromise. Strong account security also matters. Use unique passwords for important accounts like email, banking and ticketing platforms. Multi-factor authentication adds another layer of protection by requiring a second verification step alongside your password. Back up important files before attending events, too, so you can recover your photos and other information if a device is lost or stolen. Stay Safe on Public Wi‑Fi It’s convenient to hop on public Wi‑Fi in stadiums, airports, hotels and cafés, but they can expose you if used carelessly. Criminals may create fake hotspots with names that appear legitimate, hoping users will connect without checking. Before joining a network, confirm the correct name with venue staff or official signage, then avoid accessing online banking or other sensitive tasks. A free VPN for PC can protect your internet traffic by encrypting data between your device and the VPN service, making it harder for others to intercept your activity. You should also disable automatic Wi‑Fi connections to avoid joining unknown networks without your knowledge. Watch Out for Ticket and Event-Themed Scams Big sporting occasions create urgency and fear of missing […]