When traveling, whether it’s within the UK or abroad, it’s important to take extra precautions for your safety. Distractions that come with travel can increase the risks you face. However, there are ways to prevent this. Follow these online travel security tips, both for international and domestic trips, to minimize your risks and ensure a trouble-free vacation.

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

#1 Digitize important documents

Criminals can exploit the important documents found in your wallet or purse. To minimize risk, it is advisable to leave unnecessary items, like your Social Security card, at home. Instead, make copies of essential documents, such as prescriptions, a backup credit card, and your passport, in case of emergencies. Take pictures of these copies and upload them to a secure folder on the web. By doing so, you can easily take appropriate actions in the event of theft to reduce the potential damage caused by criminals. For instance, promptly call your bank to cancel debit and credit cards and request a new ID from the embassy.

#2 Use VPN masterfully

If you want not only safe travel but also a comfortable vacation, a VPN is necessary. With its help, you can prevent hacker attacks and guarantee data privacy even on public Wi-Fi networks. You can also VPN change location Android to open access to regionally restricted content. VeePN has everything you need for this: a developed network of servers, modern security technologies, a no-logs policy, and an affordable price.

#3 Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth auto-connect

Many laptops and mobile phones include an auto-connect option for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Ensure that you deactivate this feature to avoid automatically connecting to any Wi-Fi network you come across. It’s important to note that most public Wi-Fi networks are unsecured, and attackers might set them up to gain unauthorized access to your device or install malware.

#4 Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Hackers can gain access to your devices and sensitive information through Wi-Fi. To stay safe in airports, when exploring your destination, or at your hotel, it’s recommended to use a VPN service. VPN services establish a secure connection that safeguards your personal information while browsing the internet or using web-connected apps on an open network.

According to Security.org, a review site for security products, a study conducted in June 2020 revealed that only 31% of U.S. internet users utilize a VPN service for public Wi-Fi connections. This means that nearly 70% of public Wi-Fi users are vulnerable to hacking.

#5 Notify your bank about your trip

To ensure uninterrupted access to your funds during trips to unfamiliar cities, inform your bank of your travel dates and destinations. Most banks offer online banking portals for convenient notification.

This proactive step minimizes the risk of your account being locked due to suspicious transactions, preventing any unexpected complications. Moreover, it is advisable to carry a spare credit card as an extra precaution.

#6 Encrypt your data

When traveling with sensitive data on your laptop, it’s advisable to encrypt your device fully with disk encryption software. This action enhances security by adding multiple authentication factors and encrypting the data. In case it ends up in the wrong hands, they won’t be able to force their way to the disk. The data becomes scrambled and impossible to decrypt without the password.

Ideally, it’s recommended not to store sensitive data on your device. Instead, accessing it through the cloud using an encrypted connection like a cloud access security broker (CASB) is preferable.

#7 Enable MFA

If you can, activate two-factor or multifactor authentication on your devices. Use a credential system that requires you to insert an unlocking USB device or use a biometric lock, assuming the device has this feature.

#8 Patch and update

You should keep your security software up-to-date but don’t forget to also check for updates on your operating system (such as Windows, Android, or iOS), banking apps, and any other privacy-sensitive applications that you use regularly. Updating these apps while traveling can be a slow and tedious process.

#9 Read travel tips

The U.S. Department of State warns that conditions in a country can change rapidly at any time. Its website provides an up-to-date list of travel advisories for destinations worldwide. While these advisories do not always indicate that you should avoid traveling, they do serve to alert you to the potential conditions or areas to avoid upon arrival.

Before making travel arrangements or departing, it is advisable to check the State Department website. Even a place that appeared safe when you booked your trip could have deteriorated since then.

Conclusion

Your devices are always at risk, but it increases when you travel. Due to limitations in mobile communications and simple ignorance of local regulations, you may encounter device hacking or data theft. The listed practices will help you be prepared for similar challenges of our time.