Cybersecurity experts provide travellers with ways to secure their data while being away from home
Summer is underway and people are taking advantage of nice weather and post-covid relaxation with local and international holidays. Whether holidaymakers have chosen the beach, the countryside, the mountains, or a busy city, one thing is certain: no one is immune to having their devices stolen or even hacked while they are away from home. Cybersecurity experts at NordVPN provide travellers with seven tips for a cybersecure holiday.
1. Back up your data
If “My whole life is on my phone” is a phrase you can relate to, remember to make sure you have your phone’s contents backed up before you leave home. After all, no one is safe from losing their phone or having it stolen. This also applies to the SD cards in your cameras.
2. Safe payment methods
Instead of using your main bank card while travelling abroad, consider a separate, prepaid debit card that can be topped up as you need it from any account in your name. That way, if your card details are stolen, you can cancel the pre-paid card, still have access to your regular funds, and you eliminate the risk of losing everything in your accounts.
3. Take a portable charger with you
Don’t go out without your portable charger or a charging cable, because charging stations can be a playground for cybercriminals. USB/lightning cable can be modified to contain malicious hardware that accesses your private details without you even knowing.
4. Avoid public Wi-Fi
It is always a good idea to use mobile data while travelling because it is encrypted. However, if you have no choice and need to use public WiFi, don’t forget to use a VPN. This tool will protect you from cybercriminals, who can retrieve your personal data through a public network.
5. Do not post your photos in real time
Posting a picture of your plane tickets might make your social media followers jealous, but more important than that, doing so puts you at risk. It’s a perfect way for cybercriminals to find out your personal data and use it for various malicious purposes. It’s also worth remembering that posting your holiday photos while you’re still away can be dangerous and because it lets people know you are away from home. Whether your account is followed by hundreds or just a few, stay vigilant in all circumstances.
6. Keep your documents secure
Many people make a photo or a copy of their ID or passport in case they lose their documents and this is important; however, this is also another reason to keep your phone and connection secure. Unencrypted ID or passport scans and photos stored on a phone can be accesses in a hack or during a malicious attack, so be sure to keep your connections safe and consider carrying paper copies.
7. Use unique passwords
Create new passwords before you go abroad. If you have used the same password for all your accounts and one of them gets hacked, it puts the others at risk. Don’t hesitate to use a password manager, such as NordPass. It will help you create passwords that are sophisticated enough to make life difficult for hackers.
“No one is safe from hackers, who are becoming increasingly creative in stealing and selling your data,” says Daniel Markuson, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN. “It is worth remembering that a data leak can also happen to the service providers you use (hotels or transportation companies, for example). So don’t hesitate to ask how they store your data or what kind of encryption and other cybersecurity tools they use before handing over your data.”
For more information visit nordvpn.com. ▪
