Olympics cybersecurity

At the Beijing Olympics, which officially got under way Friday, athletes from around the world will be striving to run faster, jump higher, and score more goals than their opponents. At the same time, warns the US government, cybercriminals will be on the prowl for credit card information to steal, and security forces could well direct snooping efforts at unsuspecting travellers.

Just ahead of the games, Joel Brenner, the US national counterintelligence executive, talked with Bob Orr of our site broadcaster, CBS News about the threats that travelers to China could be facing and offered advice on how travellers can protect themselves. The worrisome backdrop, according to Brenner, is a pattern of "relentless and ongoing" identity theft.

"Somebody with a wireless device in China should expect it to be compromised," Brenner said. For more of the interview, see the video above from the CBS Evening News. (And watch for us to be bringing you more such video; we are now published by CBS Interactive.)

US officials are offering a blunt reminder that any electronic transmission - from PDA, fax, computer, or phone - can be intercepted. Their travel tips include the following: change your passwords frequently; update antivirus and spyware programs; and avoid wireless networks whenever possible.