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Never in the past have travelers been more concerned than now about their online safety. This is highlighted in a recent study by Travelers Insurance, which mentions 62% of people as highly worried about their online safety when travelling. This is the highest level in 11 years.
Most of the things are digital – travel booking, hotel reservations, payments (mostly e-wallets), personal data (photos and videos, work files), and communication (entirely through messengers and emails). This is a perfect scenario for cybercriminals to operate in. The moment you let down your guard, consider yourself to be the unlucky one who has fallen prey to the hackers. Here are the top risks foreign travellers face and the ways to stay safe online while travelling.
Phishing scams target distracted travellers
It is during travel that you are more active online than usual. It could be for storing photos and videos, air ticket booking, hotel reservations, using digital payments, etc. There are tight schedules to follow, language barriers, and an unfamiliar place.
One wrong click on a spammy link, fake website, or malicious pop-up can lead to a personal data or financial disaster. To stay safe, you should first secure the devices from malware and viruses using Moonlock malware protection. A good antimalware solution for your Mac will ensure peace of mind for you. Whenever you sense anything suspicious, don’t take it lightly. Research on the internet about the brands, read reviews, and do not click on links from unknown sources. The gravity of this situation can be understood from a report that says that 1 in every 33 newly registered domain names is with the intention of phishing. These domain names imitate popular brands like Kayak, Booking, and others.
Public Wi-Fi networks are the riskiest for your data
Wi-Fi is needed at every point – at airports, hotels, taxis, cafés, and tourist attractions. Somewhere you find good internet connectivity, and somewhere not. In the end, you connect to a free Wi-Fi available around you to enjoy seamless connectivity. And that is one of the biggest cyber risks for travellers abroad. These networks do not have proper encryption, which makes it easy for hackers to break into your device.
In some popular destinations, hackers even set up fake hotspots that will look 100% legit to you. To reduce this risk, being mindful of Wi-Fi security is important.
Reducing risk on public Wi-Fi
- Before you connect, confirm the network name with hotel, restaurant or café staff.
- Disable auto-connect to open Wi-Fi networks. Always select it manually.
- Use a trusted VPN when accessing email or messengers, work files and tools, or finance accounts.
- Avoid logging into banking or payment apps (eWallets/digital payments) on public networks.
- Log out of accounts immediately after use. Close the apps and tools completely after use.
Lost or stolen devices lead to identity theft
Sometimes, before the hackers, there are thieves. Travellers are a soft target for them. They steal the devices and then sell them in the grey market, from where the hackers purchase these devices to look for the data left on the drives.
It could be your personal photos, chats, passwords, banking details – basically just anything. This is one of the most common cyber threats while travelling. To stay protected, be alert of your surroundings. Use strong passwords or biometric security (2FA) and enable remote tracking and wipe features.
READ MORE: Six Top Tips for Keeping Your Valuables Safe While Travelling
Weak passwords lead to account breaches
Passwords alone can be a lifesaver in any unwanted situation where your device is stolen or hacked. You’ll log into multiple services daily – payments, flight booking, taxi booking, restaurant services, social media, tourist attractions, and much more. Weak passwords expose you more to hackers. Follow these basic cybersecurity tips for increased safety:
Strengthening account security
- Set unique passwords – Create a different password for every account.
- Long passphrases – Use strong passwords – usually a combination of lower and upper case, special characters, and numbers.
- Two-factor authentication – Add a second verification step – a one-time code or biometric.
- Password managers – Use secure tools to store passwords. It also reduces the hassle of memorizing a lot of passwords.
Unsecured documents mean easy exploitation
Soft copies of passports, visas, flight tickets, travel insurance, hotel bookings, etc., are useful but also vulnerable to hacking. These can prove to be highly valuable to cybercriminals. Carrying out identity fraud or financial scams becomes far easier for hackers if they get easy access to them.
This is why understanding how to keep documents safe while travelling means a lot. Keep them in encrypted folders, use secure cloud services, and do not share sensitive data on unsecured networks.
Oversharing on social media creates security gaps
Posting real-time updates of your location, travel plans, family details, etc., increases travel security vulnerabilities. Delay sharing photos on social networks until after you return. Make the best use of privacy settings wherever possible.
Conclusion
Travel cybersecurity is a new challenge, but you can overcome it with smart planning and basic awareness. It is these small steps that lead to higher digital security. Travel should be fun and not scary, so always stick to the basic cybersecurity rules.
