No matter where you travel this year, chances are you’ll bring your devices and stay at least somewhat connected while away. Technology is useful and essential, from presenting your boarding pass to discovering nearby attractions, but it’s important to protect your devices and their data. Cyber criminals are sophisticated, and unprepared travelers can be easy targets in unfamiliar settings. Keeping these tips in mind will help keep your accounts secure and help ensure a stress-free vacation.
Before you go –
Pack light. Especially when traveling abroad, think about what devices or gadgets you really need. Not only will traveling lighter save weight in bags, it also reduces the opportunity for them to be stolen, lost, or compromised. Think about your wallet or purse as well, and remove anything like library cards that you won’t need. If something gets lost or stolen, it means fewer items to replace.
Update devices and apps. It’s tempting to ignore the update messages on your phone, but it’s a good idea to run them before you leave for vacation. These updates often contain security patches as developers keep up with the latest hacks and security breaches.
Secure passwords and device locks. Make sure your phone is locked with a passcode or facial recognition prior to travel. Instead of reusing the same, simple password for each of your accounts, let your phone choose a complex and unique password for you. These are then stored on your phone and available only with additional facial recognition or your passcode.
Back up your data. Before leaving home, save important documents and photos to a cloud-based server (such as Google Drive), or to an external hard drive. This way if your phone is damaged, lost or stolen your important files can be retrieved again.
While on vacation –
Be careful with WiFi. Any time you’re connected to an unknown WiFi network, you’re susceptible to having your data stolen. Using a cellular connection is safer, and if you do connect to WiFi, a VPN (virtual private network) is strongly recommended. It’s also a good idea to turn off any autoconnect settings. Airport lounges and chain restaurants/cafes often use the same network name across the globe, meaning your phone might think it’s safe to connect without your knowledge. Before accessing sensitive information like bank accounts, make sure you know what network your phone is connected to.
Stay with your devices. It might be tempting to leave your laptop on the table at a cafe while you visit the restroom, but this opens the door for theft or “shoulder surfers” to quickly access information visible on your screen. If you have a laptop or other device that you’re leaving in the hotel, utilize the safe to secure it.
Avoid posting trip details. While it’s tempting to share the specifics of your whereabouts on social media, it’s a good idea to be vague and especially avoid sharing the dates that you’ll be away. Otherwise, you’re advertising to the world that your house is vacant. Besides letting your trusted people know where you are, it’s a good idea to be fairly private until you’re home.
When you return home –
Check account activity. Once home, review your accounts to make sure there wasn’t any suspicious activity. You might also use this time to update passwords, especially on banking apps. If something doesn’t look right, call your bank to immediately place a hold on accounts to avoid additional transactions, and only use the phone number listed on bank statements (not from an unsolicited email).
Remove unnecessary travel apps. Airlines, hotels, ticket vendors, bus systems, restaurants – they all seem to require an app. While they can be convenient when traveling, they can clog up your phone and continue tracking your activity. If there are apps that you won’t be using in the near future, it’s a good idea to delete them. You can always re-install them on your next trip.
Some preparation and awareness of cybersecurity can go a long way in preventing costly headaches. Keep these tips in mind next time you travel to help make your trip more stress-free!
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