Will you be traveling this year, finally getting away from it all?
“All” is, of course, a relative term. You’ll probably want to stay in touch with loved ones, or you may be obligated to check into a work account in case of work-related emergencies. So… bummer! You’ll need to take your laptop and smartphone with you.
On the plus side, you’ll be able to use your devices to locate services, rate restaurants, make bookings, calculate drive time or get directions.
As a bonus, after months of grudge-liking everybody else’s fakey ”wish you were here” social media posts, you can finally drop your photos of sumptuous meals on tropical beaches ever-so-casually on everybody else’s timelines.
Just don’t let your guard down while you switch off.
Identity theft and ransomware attacks are at an all-time high, and holidaymakers are prime targets because they sometimes take shortcuts with cyber safety.
Stay safe online this holiday season with our list of eight choice cybersecurity tips.
Get an antivirus
It’s Armageddon out there in data theft land. No matter how careful you think you are, you are exposed if you don’t use a good (paid!) anti-malware solution. Also, update your software regularly, and don’t drop your guard against phishing and malicious email loads.
Get a VPN with ad blocking
It has become unbearable to watch YouTube without an ad blocker, but ad blocking has other virtues besides protecting your sanity on YouTube. An ads blocking VPN with advanced threat detection capabilities will also block most of the fake flight or hotel booking sites and could warn you before you enter credit card or personal information on scam-my websites.
Never use unsecured public Wi-Fi. Just don’t.
It’s so tempting to use free Wi-Fi in hotels, airports, shops, and restaurants, but these hotspots are a paradise for hackers. They can distribute malware via the free WiFi router or eavesdrop on your private data when you log in to sensitive accounts.
You have two options: You can shun free Wi-Fi and buy a portable router with a local SIM card, or just set up your VPN to encrypt all connections. A VPN encryption stops intruders from snooping on your online activities and stealing your data.
Secure all connection settings on all your devices
Most devices are set up to connect automatically to available networks or free hotspots. Go to your phone or laptop settings and hit that “off” switch! Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned off by default, only connecting when you have control over the environment. Automatic, unsupervised connections can give snoopers access to your data. It also allows advertisers to track your movements.
Beware the Juice-Jackers!
Batteries sometimes die at inconvenient times. It’s irritating and can even be dangerous if you don’t have a phone when you need one. Many cafes, kiosks, and bars helpfully offer USB charging stations. However, criminals can easily subvert those USB ports to transfer malware to your device and steal sensitive information. It’s called “Juice-Jacking,” and incidents seem to be on the rise.
Don’t plug into unsecured USB ports. Juice-jacking defenders act as a guard in the middle to block unauthorized data transfers and malware infections. They are cheap, tiny, and very effective. Get one and store it with your devices. Alternatively, charge via a proper electrical outlet, or get a decent power bank to prevent inconvenient shutdowns at critical times.
Don’t get Quished!
QR codes offer contactless payment options and information sharing. This technology has made a global comeback since the start of the pandemic, becoming very popular in countries like Japan and the Philippines.
But it was too good to last – QR code phishing is now fast becoming a thing. Scammers use fake QR codes to direct users to malicious websites that steal credit card and banking information. Check with the establishment before you enter your details. Reputable establishments won’t mind if you verify the payment link with their staff before you pay.
Hunching over can be good, if not elegant.
It doesn’t matter if you look like a maddened Scrooge while you pay: always shield the keys of POS terminals and ATMs with your free hand while entering a PIN code or typing a password. You never know who has access to the overhead security footage of the transaction!
Be aware that bystanders might be watching or recording your actions. Get a privacy screen for your laptop to prevent casual snooping over your shoulder.
And finally: Don’t overshare on social media
The urge to share your good fortune and joy on every social media platform can be overwhelming, especially for those of us who have been restrained and cooped up by COVID regulations for far too long.
Just remember that at least one of your 800 Facebook “friends” is probably a would-be hacker looking for opportunities. Be safe out there!
