How To Keep Your Information Safe While Traveling
Cyber security is a full time job, even when you are on vacation.
Many of us are now very aware of the need to be vigilant when it comes to our own personal cyber security. With data breaches and hacks frequently dominating headlines, most internet users have learned that to be complacent is to put oneself at great risk. With more of our personal data than ever going online, this kind of awareness is not paranoid, but rather sensible and well-advised.
However, there seems to be something of a disconnect when people leave home and begin traveling away from their usual wifi networks and places of connectivity. Just as we alter our real life routines when we travel—our diet, exercise, schedule—we alter our digital routines as well. However, just because we’re away from home doesn’t mean we should let our guard down when it comes to protecting our personal cyber security sphere. As the US Department of Homeland Security advises, “ The more we travel and access the Internet on the go, the more cyber risks we face. No one is exempt from the threat of cyber crime, at home or on the go.
The good news is that there are various precautions and habits you can adopt on the road to protect yourself from online criminals and cyber threats. Whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, taking a little extra effort to maintain this level of vigilance means you can rest assured knowing that you’re doing everything you can to keep your data out of harm’s way.
Back up: It seems pretty basic, but backing up your data before you leave home is always advisable. The most fool-proof method is to have a cloud-based backup you can access on the road in case you lose a device, such as Dropbox, as well as a hardware backup in case your Dropbox account or other cloud-based option becomes compromised. Having two backups may seem like over-kill, but you will thank yourself if and when the worst-case scenario occurs.
Connect wisely: When you’re on the go in another country and don’t have access to your usual data plan it can be tempting to log into any public wifi network you can find. But beware. Public networks at places like train stations or free networks provided by the city may be insecure. Never conduct sensitive searches or activity such as online banking or shopping while on a public wifi network, but if you absolutely must, use a VPN encryption plugin that will mask what you’re doing. In addition, always make sure the network you’re logging into is indeed legitimate; if it seems like it’s requesting a lot of personal information, it may be a scam.
Treat public computers with caution: Sometimes when you’re traveling you may need to use a public computer in a hotel or internet cafe. If you do, be especially cautious of what kind of information you’re inputting. Be sure to log out of your email and accounts when you are done, and delete the search history of the computer you were using.
Be vigilant about your devices: If you’re traveling with your laptop or other devices, don’t assume that your hotel room or other accommodation is a safe place to keep it. Keep your devices out of sight or in a secured safe if necessary, and be especially wary of business conferences (where thieves know there will be plenty of devices to choose from). When you’re out and about with your devices, keep in mind that travelers are often targeted, and make sure you maintain physical contact with your belongings at all times, even when you’re relaxing in a café or bar.