5 Ways to Avoid Cyber Attacks During Travel

The world is more interconnected and digitized than ever before. Add in the excitement of travel and you get greater responsibilities when on your trip. There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, but one component many fail to consider is their presence online and staying safe in the cyber world.

Keeper Security, provider of zero-trust and zero-knowledge cybersecurity software, shares five important safety measures to reduce security threats when traveling.

Avoid Charging Stations and Public WiFi

Using USB charging stations puts you at greater risk of juice jacking attacks. Cybercriminals load malware onto these charging stations to access your device. Be sure to also disable WiFi and Bluetooth auto-connect options, and avoid public WiFi networks, which are unsecured and open to attack. Instead, use your phone’s hotspot feature. Using a Virtual Private Network when accessing accounts from different locations encrypts your connection and secures you against cyber threats.

Be Mindful on Social Media

When posting travel plans and vacation updates on social media platforms, be careful. Broadcasting your location in real time makes you a target for both cyber attacks and physical crimes. Sharing you’re away from home also alerts thieves your home is unoccupied. Limit your audience on social media to trusted contacts and think before posting.

Protect Your Online Accounts

Luckily, many companies and websites tell you how strong your password is, but in case they don’t, setting a strong and unique password at least 16 characters long is crucial. Avoid dictionary words, patterns or sequential numbers, and include both uppercase and lowercase letters. Don’t forget to also add in numbers and special characters. Further strengthen your account by enabling Two-Factor Authentication so, even if your password is compromised, unauthorized access is prevented.

Upload Important Documents for Backups and Emergency Access

We hate to consider it, but the possibility of losing or having important financial, identification or other documents stolen is a reality for many travelers. Upload backups of important cards and documents like passports, IDs, medical information and visas to a secure password manager. You can also use One Time Share, an encrypted service, to securely share important information with a trusted family member or friend in the event of an emergency.

Keep Devices Secure

Be sure all electronic devices are equipped with the latest security patches and updates. Look for notifications, install updates immediately and turn on automatic updates when possible. Software updates enhance existing features, fix bugs, improve performance, patch security flaws and add new security measures.