The hidden security concerns under the frenzy of ticket grabbing

        The year 2024 is not yet over, and the concert activities in 2025 have already ignited the passion of fans. In addition to Jay Chou and A-Mei, who will perform at the Taipei Dome in December, big name singers such as Maroon 5 Magic Red and BLACKPINK member Lisa have also announced their upcoming performances in Taiwan, quickly fueling the atmosphere of ticket grabbing. However, while competing for tickets, potential security risks also arise. This issue of 'Information Network' will take you to understand the dangers and avoid accidentally falling into traps.

                Dangerous ticket buying traps

        During the ticket sales period, there are usually fake websites and phishing attacks. For example, during the Paris Olympics in July 2024, cybersecurity researchers discovered as many as 708 large-scale cybercrime infrastructures composed of fraudulent domain names. Hackers set up ticket purchasing websites similar to legitimate websites, inducing people who were eager to grab tickets to enter personal information and credit card information. Only when the victims stored enough funds could they place orders and purchase tickets. After successful deduction, the websites no longer provided any response. To prevent being deceived, it is necessary to first confirm that the ticketing platform is an officially authorized website and check if the website address is secure (such as starting with "https://").

        Robots also come to grab tickets

        Automated ticket grabbing robots (bots) are another common issue. These automated tools can quickly scan ticketing websites and instantly grab a large number of tickets, making it difficult for ordinary consumers to successfully purchase tickets. In March 2024, a bamboo science engineer was arrested for developing the "Max Ticket Grab Robot" and teaching the public how to use this program to grab concert tickets, in violation of the Cultural and Creative Industries Act. This behavior not only makes the ticket market more competitive, but some criminals also disguise infected software as ticket grabbing tools, inducing consumers to download and install them, and then stealing personal information.

        Security concerns of third-party platforms

        Many concert tickets are sold through third-party platforms, and if the platform's security protection is insufficient, consumers' personal information and payment data may face the risk of leakage. Since 2023, multiple ticketing platforms around the world have experienced data breaches, resulting in the theft of millions of consumers' personal information. Taking Ticketmaster, the largest ticketing platform in the United States, as an example, in May 2024, the hacker group Shiny Hunters claimed to be selling 1.3TB of data on the dark web, covering 560 million users and priced at USD 500000. The data included user names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, ticket sales and activity details, ordering information, and some payment card information. The Australian Department of Home Affairs subsequently confirmed that the Ticketmaster system had been hacked. This incident highlights the security vulnerability of third-party ticketing platforms and reminds everyone to remain highly vigilant when using such platforms.

        The pitfalls of the second-hand market

        The tickets for popular concerts are in high demand and there is a great opportunity for transfer, so 'fake ticket fraud' is also a major risk in ticket grabbing. Many unofficial platforms or individuals trade with fake or invalid tickets, causing consumers not only economic losses but also personal information leakage. In March of this year, a consumer purchased tickets for the "Tell Five" concert on Facebook and was scammed by NTD7100. The account was immediately blocked and disappeared, and such cases are not uncommon. The police also pointed out that trading second-hand tickets through Facebook or LINE carries great risks. To protect one's own rights, it is recommended to choose a website with a review mechanism to purchase, and carefully confirm the transaction partner and product before payment to avoid fraud.

        The Golden Rule of Safety

        Protecting personal data and financial security is crucial, and the following are several key self-protection measures:

        1. Confirm official channels: It is necessary to confirm that the ticketing platform is an officially authorized ticketing website and avoid using ticketing links of unknown origin.

        2. Two factor authentication: Enable two factor authentication (2FA) to enhance the security of ticketing platform accounts and prevent personal information from being stolen by criminals.

        3. Use virtual credit card: When it is uncertain whether the website is secure, virtual credit card payment can be used to prevent the theft of real card numbers and account information. Taishin International Bank, Yongfeng Bank, and E.SUN BANK all offer services similar to one-time virtual card numbers.

        4. Regularly check account transactions: Regularly check whether there are unauthorized transactions in the bank or credit card account, and immediately report any problems to the bank.

        Balancing passion and vigilance, enjoying a music feast with safety

        Although ticket grabbing is full of expectations, the hidden security risks cannot be ignored. By raising awareness and following the principle of safe ticket purchasing, one can participate in their favorite concerts more safely, avoid becoming a victim of online fraud, and while enjoying music, do not forget to protect personal information and financial security. Let us welcome the exciting concert season with wisdom and caution!

        Image source: freepik

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