Using your electronics while travelling is extremely risky, regardless of when you go or why. The risk to your privacy and problems with online safety when travelling are the two things that will ruin a vacation the quickest. Despite your best efforts, will you actually be able to disconnect while you're on the road? It's likely that you scroll while at the airport or login to your work email while you're flying, post on social media, or both. You can easily jeopardise your credentials and privacy if you're not careful. Take into consideration these tips for traveller's internet safety.
Be wary of free wifi
Although it may be alluring to connect to the free Wi-Fi at your preferred restaurant, hotel, or airport, doing so gives hackers access to your computer while you're utilising a shared network. Any information from your internet activity, including credit card numbers, email addresses, login credentials, and images, can be accessed by a hacker playing the man in the middle in this precarious situation.
Also, it gives threat actors a way to spread malware on your machine. When a hacker has access to your personal information, they can act in your place and access your online accounts. Turn down your Wi-Fi when not in use and stop your device from connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth automatically to address this security issue. This increases the security level and increases the battery life of your device. Don't access personal messages or explore sites that need logging in if you must use public Wi-Fi. After your session is over, promptly disconnect.
Avoid scanning random QR codes
You've certainly heard of email phishing, but what about "quishing"? There is a word for everything, right? Due to their practicality and frictionless nature, QR codes were widely used during the pandemic. As a result, QR code phishing emerged as a new type of online scam.
Texas scammers covered genuine QR codes on parking metres with phoney ones. Those who utilised the metres were sent to fraudulent websites that requested their bank and credit card information. Atlantan drivers have reported seeing phoney parking fines with QR codes on their windscreens that lead to fraudulent websites requesting billing information.
Watch out for skimmers
The purpose of credit card skimmers is to take credit card information as soon as you swipe to pay at legitimate gas pumps, ATMs, and other payment stations. The information on your credit cards can potentially be stolen by criminals by placing a skimmer device over your wallet. A shield will be put in place between your card and the skimmer if you use an RFID-blocking card holder. On physical card readers, watch out for tampering evidence such mismatched colours or materials close to the screen, card slot, and keypad, and refrain from swiping if something seems off.
Don't share your location
It makes sense to want to post trip information and pictures on your preferred social media platforms. But if criminals are following your area, doing so makes you a running target for them, making it simple for them to break into your home or hotel. Be sure that your location isn't being shared in images and turn off location sharing on your phone. To ensure your privacy and security, it's best to report about your adventures once you go home.
Use virtual private network (VPN)
While travelling and disconnected from your home or workplace network, use a VPN to keep a secure connection. By encrypting your website traffic using a VPN, you make yourself harder to target for hackers searching for a simple victim because they can't see the websites you're visiting.
Final remarks
It's not always simple to acknowledge that we are responsible for our own online safety while travelling. Regrettably, it's the way things are in the world. So remember these tips instead of defying reality. You may relax easier and have a less stressful vacation by staying safe online, whether you're nearby or thousands of miles away.
