The pandemic is starting to wear off slowly but gradually, and more and more individuals are on the move. People are more confident to go out there as the number of vaccinations provided continues to rise. Unfortunately, hackers have resurfaced as a result of the increased number of individuals on the go. As a result, a brief refresher is required to guarantee that you keep safe connected while on your vacation.
How to stay safely connected during your travels
1. Keep your devices updated: Make sure you have the most recent software and security updates loaded on all of your devices, and disable any file sharing or location services. Back up your photographs and any other critical data on your smartphone as often as possible to the cloud or a portable storage device.
2. Using Public Wi-Fi: Everyone does it, but unless you have a VPN, you should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks. The networks are seldom secure, and thieves may regard them as easy pickings for obtaining your sensitive data. Avoid using public Wi-Fi to access your online banking.
3. VPN Safety: When going online, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network), especially if you’re utilizing a public Wi-Fi network as at airports or other public locations. A VPN enables you to connect to a secure network across a public network. To identify each other, your laptop or gadget connects with a distant server using trusted keys.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi: If you’re tethering your phone to your laptop or another electronic device, turn off the Wi-Fi signal on your phone when you’re not using it; the same goes for Bluetooth and mobile hotspots.
5. Track your device: If at all feasible, make sure your smartphone has a tracking app installed. You might be able to find out if it is stolen. A wiping application is another useful tool; if your smartphone slips into the wrong hands, you may delete all of the data remotely.
6. How to secure your devices and data: Protect your devices with strong passwords that include a mix of numbers, letters, and characters, as well as biometric (fingerprint) authentication. Prevents a criminal from obtaining immediate access to your data.
7. Watch your cards: If you plan to use your bank card or travel card while travelling, keep it in your sight at all times and monitor any transactions (through a secure network connection) both while travelling and after you return home in case any strange transactions appear. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay are other payment methods that use randomly generated tokens rather than your card information.
Travelling is exciting, but minor errors may ruin the experience. You can’t battle nature, but you can be prepared and careful — hackers like to take the shortest way. Being one step ahead of the game will ensure that you get the most out of your vacation.