If you travel frequently or stay in many locations each year, you should know how to safeguard your data. When you're away from home, using unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, and visiting new places, it's critical that you be vigilant. That's because being in an unfamiliar spot could make you vulnerable to data thieves and hackers. So, to help protect yourself, here are some things you should consider before taking off on a vacation: Get a Local Sim Card for Internet Avoid Public Wi-Fi Use a VPN Never Enter Sensitive information (like Credit Card Numbers) Use Two-Factor Authentication (like Google Authentication) Update Antivirus and Antimalware protection Update Passwords After Your Trip 1. Get a Local Sim Card for Internet If you're travelling to a foreign country, one of the best ways to stay connected is to . This will give you access to the local data network, which is often faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. get a local sim card for your phone Before you leave, make sure your phone is unlocked so you can use a local sim card. Once you're in the country, you can purchase a prepaid sim card from a local carrier. This will give you data service for a set period of time, usually 30 days. If you're only going to be in the country for a short time, consider buying a temporary sim card. These cards are typically valid for 14 days and can be purchased online or at the airport. 2. Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Connections Public Wi-Fi is often unsecured, which means that your data could be intercepted by third parties. If using public WIFI is your only way to connect to the internet, then you should only visit websites that do not require you to login (e.g. news websites). When you're travelling, you may be tempted to use public computers or Wi-Fi hotspots to access your email, social media, or bank accounts. But this could put your personal information at risk. If possible, avoid using public computers and Wi-Fi hotspots altogether. If you must use them, be sure to log out of all your accounts before you leave the computer. And never enter sensitive information (like credit card numbers) on a public computer or Wi-Fi connection. 3. Use a VPN Furthermore, when you are connected to a public WIFI, connect your phone or PC to a VPN. A VPN will encrypt your data so that it can't be intercepted by third parties. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a tool that can help protect your online privacy. VPNs encrypt your data and route it through a secure server, making it difficult for anyone to intercept or track your activity. There are many different VPN providers to choose from, so be sure to do your research before selecting one. Some factors you may want to consider include price, security features, and ease of use. , CyberGhost, NordVPN and Surfshark are the top 3 best VPNs for travelling. According to vpntested.com 4. Never Enter Sensitive information (like Credit Card Numbers) If you are connected to a public WiFi, never enter sensitive information like a password for login or credit card numbers. Cybercriminals could be lurking on the network, waiting to intercept your data. The best practice is to only enter sensitive information if you're on a hotspot connected to your phone on a local data network. Furthermore, be sure to check for the https:// at the beginning of the URL. This indicates that the site is using SSL, or secure sockets layer, to encrypt your data. You should also look for a padlock icon in the address bar, which indicates that the site is secure. 5. Use Two-Factor Authentication like Google Authentication If you must log into an account during your journey, be sure to enable two-factor authentication ahead of time. Two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is a tool that can help keep your accounts safe. It adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code (usually sent to your phone) in addition to your password when logging in. r is a free iOS and Android app that provides an extra layer of security for your Google account. When you enable it, you'll be asked to enter a code that's generated by the app every time you sign in. This makes it much more difficult for someone to gain access to your account, even if they have your password. Google Authenticato 6. Update Antivirus and Antimalware protection Before you travel, it's important to make sure that your antivirus and antimalware protection is up to date. This will help protect your data from being compromised by malware or viruses. Once you've chosen a program, be sure to download and install it before you travel. There are many different antivirus and antimalware programs available, so do some research to find the best one for your needs - is a popular option. Bitdefender 7. Update Passwords After Your Trip Once you return from your trip, it's important to update your passwords. This will help protect your data in case it was compromised while you were travelling. Choose strong passwords that are difficult to guess, and change them regularly. It's also a good idea to use a password manager to help keep track of your passwords. By following these tips, you can help protect your data when you travel. Cybersecurity is an important issue, and it's only going to become more important in the future. By taking steps to protect your data now, you can help keep yourself safe in the future. Conclusion: Staying Safe Online When You Travel The 7 ways above should be protected your cybersecurity when you travel but there are many other ways. Cybersecurity is a growing problem and it's important to stay safe online. What are some other ways you stay safe when you travel? Let us know in the comments below!

Apple

Google

Read My Stories

Nominated for 2022 - HackerNoon Contributor of the Year - Personal Data

Too Long; Didn't Read

Boost your HackerNoon story @ $159.99! 🚀

7 Ways to Improve Cybersecurity when You Travel in 2022

About Author

Comments

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN

Related Stories

Untitled Story

Windows Sticky Keys Exploit: The War Veteran That Never Dies

06/02/2018: Biggest Stories in the Cryptosphere

0-Days are on the Rise and that Means a Lot More Work for SOC Teams

Time Bombs Inside Software: 0-Day Log4Shell is Just the Tip of The Iceberg

The Noonification: How the Liver Transplant System Changed Forever (11/25/2023)

Windows Sticky Keys Exploit: The War Veteran That Never Dies

06/02/2018: Biggest Stories in the Cryptosphere

0-Days are on the Rise and that Means a Lot More Work for SOC Teams

Time Bombs Inside Software: 0-Day Log4Shell is Just the Tip of The Iceberg

The Noonification: How the Liver Transplant System Changed Forever (11/25/2023)

Light-Mode

Classic

Newspaper

Dark-Mode

Neon Noir

Minty

HN StartUps