It’s easy to let your cybersecurity guard down when you’re away on vacation. Worries about credit cards, online bank accounts and sensitive medical information getting into the wrong hands tend to fall by the wayside. Hackers know that, too, which can increase your risk of personal information getting compromised.
What’s a traveler to do? Here are seven tips to keep in mind to help ensure your summer getaway is fun and safe.
1. Clean Up and Lock Down Your Work Area – If you work in an office, shut down and remove all portable devices, and put away any sensitive papers that might be lying around. If you work in a home office, shut down and disconnect any computers and remote storage devices to prevent hackers from gaining access.
2. Don’t Use Corporate Assets for Personal Reasons – If you have an HM-issued device, leave it at home if you’re traveling for pleasure.
3. Make Good Choices About Social Media Platforms – Here’s where people really need to think strategically. While you’re away, when you post photos to social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, the bad guys know it’s the perfect time to either launch attacks on your digital assets or break into your house. It takes some willpower, but post your photos and tell people what a great time you had when you’re back at home. Also, be wary of taking photos looking out of your hotel window. Clever hackers can manipulate the reflections in the light to view sensitive documents that might be lying on the dresser or desk behind you.
4. Make Use of a VPN – When people travel, they’re more likely to use public networks at the airport and at familiar places. If your travel is for work, be sure to have the VPN enabled. If you’re traveling for fun, only access a public network with a VPN. When you aren’t using the network, turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and auto-connect.
5. Think About Physical Security – Many people become so focused on the digital world that they often forget about simple physical security. Always have an awareness of where your devices are located. That mobile device in your back pocket could be an easy target for pick pocketers in a crowd. Consider using the hotel safe. While it might not be foolproof, putting a laptop with sensitive information in a safe makes more sense than leaving it on the bed or desk in your hotel room.
6. Update and Secure All Devices – Before you leave for your trip, run the security patches and back up all your devices. In addition, be strategic about the devices you take. Bring only what you know you’ll need. It’s also a good idea to use multifactor authentication on all your devices and have a remote wipe mobile device management feature on your smartphone. Consider changing the passwords on sensitive accounts when you get home.
7. Try Not to Use Public Business Offices – Many travelers don’t think twice about using the public computers and printers at a hotel’s business office. If you have to use a public computer to access information or print something out, do so only for local entertainment or restaurants. Never access your bank account or a sensitive financial or medical site on a public computer.
