If you’re thinking about taking a trip over Spring Break with friends or family, be aware that scammers can show up as an unexpected guest.
Be sure to pack cybersecurity knowledge for your gadgets since you’ll probably be bringing some technology with you on the vacation, such as a smartphone for navigation on a road trip, a tablet for browsing TV shows on an aeroplane, or a laptop for accessing social media in a hotel room.
In reality, your cyber dangers are heightened because you’ll probably use your devices and engage in more online activity while travelling in places that aren’t as safe. This includes dangers like frauds, harmful software, and ATM skimmers, to mention a few.
The TSA predicts that more people will be travelling over Spring Break than there were before the outbreak, so now is a good moment to emphasise certain precautions you can take to protect your devices and data.
Recognize travel fraud in advance
According to Michael Lemberger, Senior Vice President of North American Risk at Visa, the dangers actually begin even before you leave for the trip.
Lemberger advises, “Take a time to check out travel agencies, lodging establishments, and tour guides; you may add the word’scam’ or ‘complaint’ to see what comes up in your investigation.
Lemberger continues, “Additional security measures should be taken when using wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency as these payment methods do not offer the same level of safety and security as a network-backed transaction, like a credit or debit card.
How can you safeguard yourself when utilising free WiFi?
Free Wi-Fi networks should be avoided since you might be connecting to a hacker hotspot that compromises the data on your phone, tablet, or laptop. This is especially true if there is no password required to access the network.
Instead, confirm the login information with a hotel, coffee shop, or airport clerk.
Use a VPN for additional security because it safeguards your privacy and encrypts data, advises Ashley Colette, communications manager for Verizon Consumer Group.
The Verizon Secure Wi-Fi app ($3.99/month after 30-day trial), one of many VPN options, secures your connection using 256-bit AES encryption for up to 10 devices.
Colette continues, “Better yet, utilise your cellular connection to get online; it’s safer than Wi-Fi hotspots and momentarily transforms your phone into a “personal hotspot” for your laptop or other devices. There will be data fees and roaming charges if you are outside the United States.
