AusLeisure

Hong Kong theme park Ocean Park has been branded one of the world's riskiest visitor attractions for exposing mobile devices to cyberattacks, alongside New York’s Times Square and Disneyland Paris, according to a US security survey.

According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the unwelcome tag has baffled Ocean Park's management - where a Wi-Fi network is as yet non-existent and therefore could not have allowed “malicious” mobile attacks that have been experienced a many of world’s leading tourist spots in the past year.

An Ocean Park spokesperson told the South China Morning Post “Ocean Park’s in-park Wi-Fi service will only be launched in the fourth quarter this year.

“The network is still under construction now and has not been opened to the public.”

Skycure, the US security firm that conducted the survey, did not provide any data on the origin, number and nature of attacks it said had hit the listed tourist attractions.

Times Square in New York topped the poll for mobile phones at risk, followed by Notre Dame Cathedral in the French capital and Disneyland Paris.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco ranked fourth, followed by Ocean Park in fifth place.

A South China Morning Post inspection of the claim about Ocean Park using Skycure’s own security threat map online contradicted the survey finding. No threats were detected in the area, not to mention its planned Wi-fi service was non-existent for now.

The Ocean Park spokesperson added "the park’s Wi-Fi network will adopt the most advanced security technology."

Skycure Chief Executive Adi Sharabani explained "unfortunately for mobile tourists, the most magical places on earth can sometimes be the most dangerous.

“When you’re in a high-traffic area like these famous destinations, you’re a target for hackers. Unlike your computer, your phone is always on, even when you’re taking in the sights. Mobile tourists are a lucrative target for cyber criminals.”

The pollsters praised India’s Taj Mahal as the safest – because of its “limited connectivity” due to a ban on cellphone usage around the sacred monument.

Images: Guests use mobile technology at Ocean Park (top) and the Taj Mahal (below).

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We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

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