Cybersecurity Experts Warn Of Increased Risk At Pennsylvania Farm Show

The Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania (PennCyber) on Tuesday issued a warning ahead of the upcoming Pennsylvania Farm Show, claiming the event, which draws more than 500,000 visitors and 250 exhibitors, is "a dense and attractive target environment for cybercriminal activity."

The 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show will be held from Jan. 10-17 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

Large public events increasingly face cyber risks alongside physical and operational concerns, PennCyber said in a press release. From QR codes used for parking, schedules and promotions, to point-of-sale systems, mobile devices and public Wi-Fi networks, threat actors often exploit convenience-driven technologies to harvest data, deploy malware or commit fraud.

“Anytime you bring together hundreds of thousands of people, devices and transactions in a short period of time, you create a rich attack surface,” said Scott R. Davis, Chairman of the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania. “Cybercriminals do not need to breach a central system to be successful — they simply need one distracted user, one malicious QR code or one unsecured device.”

PennCyber highlights several common risks attendees and exhibitors should be aware of during the Farm Show:

Malicious QR Codes: Fraudulent QR codes placed over legitimate signage can redirect users to phishing sites, install malicious apps or steal credentials.

Public Wi-Fi Networks: Open or poorly secured Wi-Fi networks may allow attackers to intercept traffic, steal personal information or inject malicious content.

Credit Card Skimming and Fraud: Compromised or counterfeit card readers can capture payment data at vendor booths.

Booth Marketing Technology: Digital displays, tablets and demo devices can be infected if not properly secured or updated.

Personal and Business Devices: Laptops, smartphones and tablets used by staff and volunteers may be exposed to malware or unauthorized access if left unattended or unprotected.