HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) \u2013 \u00a0The\u00a0Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania\u00a0says large public events like the Pennsylvania Farm Show attract cyber criminals. There are ways attendees and exhibitors can protect themselves.<\/p>\n
The Farm Show attracts over 500,000 people and more than 250 exhibitors. Anyone can simply post a QR code next to an attraction that links people to malicious websites. As an example, the chairman of the\u00a0Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania, Scott Davis, made a fake Farm Show poster with a QR code using AI. He said people should ask where a link will take them before scanning a QR code.<\/p>\n
Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n The Verbos Family Farm will have a QR code for their sheep snuggle session waiver, but owner Amanda Verbos said the link will only take users to a private folder on the farm\u2019s website. Technology isn\u2019t the only way they\u2019re getting ready for the Farm Show. Verbos is practicing the motion of shearing with her sheep, who will partake in the Sheep to Shawl contest.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trimming calves, taking care of our coats,\u201d Verbos said. \u201cThe kids are preparing their sheep with doing spot cleaning, trimming the rabbits\u2019 nails.\u201d<\/p>\n The association also recommends using contactless payment options and a trusted cellular network.<\/p>\n \u201cI could take my phone, or I could take a small device and transpose it to show as it\u2019s the public free Wi-Fi, and in reality, you\u2019re connected to my phone,\u201d Davis said. \u201cYou\u2019re not connected to the Farm Show Wi-Fi.\u201d<\/p>\n Credit card skimming and fraud are also risks at large events.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we recommend to a lot of senior citizens right now is get those prepaid cards and actually use those when you come out to a large event because if the prepaid card gets breached, it\u2019s not impacting all of your finances,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n Also, be careful where you plug in your device. Davis said malware can be injected into chargers. As for booth marketing technology, the association said digital displays, tablets and demo devices can be infected if not properly secured or updated.<\/p>\n