How to get a free beer (Sabong News)
Author
Art Samaniego
Date
MARCH 22 2022
I have a confession to make. I have become a victim of the thing I always warn my friends about — hacking!
A few years ago, I went out of the country for an assignment. Being the probinsyano that I am, I posted every corner of the room on social media, including the TV, with a welcome message. I did not notice that a piece of seemingly irrelevant information that could compromise my identity was there.
A friend in that country noticed it and immediately went to the hotel and used the WiFi with my credentials. Most hotels only ask for the room number and the family name of the occupant to gain WiFi access (I recently tried this, 100% it still works).
My friend also called the front desk using the hotel service phone and reserved a table at the bar. He went to the bar while I was outside and identified himself as me. He was given a seat, ordered a mug of Estrella, and told the waiter to charge it to room 203. He then called me and asked me to join him.
After our dinner, which he paid for, he told me that he got a free beer courtesy of ME. I was confused, and then he explained what he had done. He told me what I already knew all along that cybercriminals could exploit even the slightest mistake.
Now, if a malicious hacker got hold of that info that he used, I’m sure I would be charged more than a mug of beer.
Here’s what I learned about the incident: Simple info that we might think is irrelevant could put us into trouble. Using social engineering, hotel room numbers posted on social media could give a malicious hacker power to charge anything to your account.
Come to think of it. How many of us post info more important than a hotel room number? I still see people posting boarding passes, passport/visa pics, school IDs, cars with visible plate numbers, and other personal information. Now think about this: If a piece of seemingly irrelevant information like a hotel room number could put us into trouble. How much more can cybercriminals gain from the personally identifiable information we freely post online for all to see?
Secure your info. Do not overshare. For now, I’m still monitoring my friend’s online activities, waiting for him to commit one simple mistake where I could charge to his account not one but two mugs of beer. #BeFullyInformed.
