Cyber Security Tips for Travelers

As you prepare for your big trip, you routinely whip out your suitcase and cosmetics bag, carefully fold your clothing and tuck away your personal items, and print out your boarding pass. As you head out the door, you grab your cell phone, phone charger, tablet, laptop, and any other technology that you’re bringing along—after all, you carry these items with you daily, and you wouldn’t think of leaving them behind during your travels.

The more technology you have at your fingertips, the more conveniences you enjoy. However, along with these devices also comes security concerns, and these security concerns multiply while you’re on the road. Make sure you’re safe and secure on your commute with these safety precautions.

Ways to Keep Your Technology Secure

• Always make sure that your software and applications are up-to-date, recommends PCWorld’s Logan Kugler. Kugler stresses that this is your first line of defense and can be the easiest way to help secure your computer and technology. Software and apps release patches and updates in order to fix security vulnerabilities, and the majority of the time, these updates are free and simple to apply.
• Turn off cookies and auto refills on your computer to ensure that none of your passwords or information will be accessible to cyber criminals.
• While banking online or accessing personal records or any other type of sensitive information, avoid using unencrypted public Wi-Fi. By connecting to an unsecure connection, you are putting your device and your data in danger. Instead, access via a virtual private network (VPN).
• Backup your devices into the cloud and use additional security providers to ensure the security of your data. Enlist the added protection of services such as cloud storage security and mobile access alerts, which will allow you to secure your data and track your mobile devices. Some phone providers even offer free mobile device tracking services that will also ensure that your devices are safe from criminals. Some of the services include the ability to wipe out the device if it is stolen or lost, further protecting you from identity theft.
• Keep your default security settings. Most new computer models come with baked-in security settings that can provide you with the best and most efficient protection. These settings are often set to recommended security standards, and can often offer you the backup protection you need.
• Stay away from websites that do not have the “https:” in front of them. Without the ‘s,’ the website is not secure through SSL and therefore is not safe to navigate. A website’s SSL ensures that you are navigating through it safely because all of the data being transmitted is encrypted.
• Always make sure you have a strong password. (This is a good rule of thumb every day, not just while traveling.) Having a safe password can help prevent unwanted access into your data and personal information. Create one that has a combination of capital and lowercase letters, along with numbers and symbols. How To Geek offers some simple steps to creating a complex password, and best of all, remembering it!

Along with following these tips, stay alert and keep an eye on your devices at all times. Cyber security can keep you from being hacked, but it won’t save your computer from being stolen.