Travelers are used to making plans to secure their home, have their pets taken care of, and tie up loose ends at work. But what about securing devices and data while away? Here are some things to take into consideration if you want to have a trip free of cyber worries.
- Keep your devices clean Before heading out the door, ensure your devices are up-to-date with the latest antivirus and Operating System (OS) patches.
- Stop and think before you connect to a public WiFiWiFi is available seemingly everywhere you go, including hotels, airports, restaurants, parks and museums. These networks are entirely open and unsecured. Be cautious and absolutely do not do any banking or other sensitive activities while on public WiFi.
- Location, Location, Location Don’tmake it easy for criminals to identify that you are away from home. Turn off auto-location and check-in applications.
- Beware of evil twins Hackers will set up rogue WiFiswith names like “Free WiFi.” Confirm the hotspot with the owner or proprietor before you connect.
- Bring your own chargers Free charging stations seem great and convenient when your battery is running low. Unfortunately, you are putting yourself at risk of having malicious software installed on your device just by plugging in. Avoid using any charging cord that is not your own.
We’ll be happy to walk folks through a quick checklist of cyber tips for travelers. Please feel welcome to reach out to Devin O’Hare at x3126 before you head out on your summer travels!