The world is more connected than ever before, and whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you’ll likely be taking a device — or two or three — with you. The Better Business Bureau offers several cybersecurity tips to help you keep your information and cellphone, laptop, tablet, and other devices safe and secure as you travel.
Only take what you need
Do you need your cellphone, tablet and your laptop? Limit yourself to the bare necessities, remembering any devices you take with you will need looking after.
Be careful about how you charge up
Portable chargers or wall outlets are preferable if you need to charge your device in a public space like a coffee shop or an airport. Avoid connecting directly into a public USB port to avoid potential “juice jacking,” where bad actors compromise the port by loading malware. This can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator, potentially allowing them to access online accounts or sell it to others. Consider carrying an external battery or purchase a charge only cable. If you must plug directly into a public USB port and a prompt appears on your device asking you to select “share data” or “trust this computer” or “charge only,” always select “charge only.”
Check your settings
Adjust your settings to prepare for travel. Turn off the auto-join feature to avoid connecting to shady Wi-Fi hotspots as you travel. Turn on the “find my phone” feature so you can track your device if it gets lost and disable it if it’s stolen. Check the privacy and security settings on apps and web services, and adjust them if needed.
Always enable password protection
Make sure your devices require a password to unlock them. Use a strong password, PIN, fingerprint or facial scan to ensure a stranger can’t unlock your device. BBB offers tips below for ideas on creating a strong password.
Keep your antivirus up to date
Before you leave, ensure your antivirus software is up to date on all your devices. Once you return home, run a scan to make sure you didn’t pick up any malware during your travels.
Back up your files
Back up your photos, files and any other important digital data you have before and during your trip. That way, you won’t lose your valuable information if your device gets lost or stolen.
If you stream, don’t forget to log out
If you log into any streaming service while away from home, log out before leaving. If you stay signed in, the next visitor to the space can not only use your subscription; they can even access admin controls to change your password or get a hold of your payment information. If you realize you didn’t log out after you arrived home, don’t panic. Visit the streaming service online, head to your account settings, and choose the option that allows you to log out on all devices.
Use secure Wi-Fi networks
Think twice before using public Wi-Fi networks, especially if they aren’t password protected. Never make a purchase or login into accounts while on public Wi-Fi. Bad actors could be “eavesdropping” on your connection, waiting for you to reveal sensitive, personal information. Wait until you can access a secure network to conduct important transactions. Or, if you have a cellular connection, use your phone as a personal Wi-Fi hotspot.
When it comes to setting up strong passwords, BBB has several tips to keep in mind:
Keep them creative. A great approach for a password that’s easy for you to remember but difficult to be compromised includes intertwining passphrases with numbers and symbols. They should be at least 12 characters long and you’ll want to avoid common cliches such as “AnAppleaDay.” Go instead for a phrase with personal meaning to you, such as, “PlanetSpringsteenIsForMe and then consider strengthening it with substituted characters, such as: “Pl@netSpring$teenIs4Me!”
Don’t use pets’ names, relatives, maiden names, hometowns, birthdays, other significant dates or anything that could be found out about you by an internet snoop. Also, never use easily guessed number sequences like “0000000” or “1234567.”
Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts, or one that contains only a slight variation, especially for bank accounts, credit cards, legal or tax records, medically related files or other sensitive sites.
Here’s a few other suggestions to protect you and your personal information while you’re traveling:
Set up a travel alert on your financial accounts.
Let your bank and credit card companies know you’ll be using your money and cards in places outside of your normal spending habits. Or, if you previously set limits on your accounts, you’ll likely need to adjust your settings accordingly. Also, carry only necessities in your wallet while you travel.
Don’t overshare vacation plans on social media.
Depending on your social media privacy settings and current connections, complete strangers may have access to your posts and see that you’re away from home.
Check for card skimming devices
Skimmers are illegal card readers often attached to gas pumps or ATMs that take data from a card’s magnetic stripe. Criminals use the stolen data by either selling your information or using it to make purchases, often online.
Protect your mail
Ask a trusted neighbor or family member to collect your mail daily. If you don’t have someone who can do so, consider placing your mail on hold while you are away, so mail with account information isn’t piling up.
Michele Mason is president of the Better Business Bureau in Chattanooga.