6 Cybersecurity Tips for Travelers: Keep Your Dream Vacation from Becoming a Nightmare

In 2018, the United States Federal Trade commission tallied losses of $1.48 billion due to fraud reports and cybercrime. Because people today are more present on the internet than ever before, it is becoming necessary to secure information like financial transactions and identities. Internet security has become a real issue, especially in the past decade. Symantec’s 2019 report said that in the underground economy, identity theft is still prevalent.

Cybercriminals steal things, such as streaming accounts, medical prescriptions, hotel loyalty program accounts, Social Security numbers, ID or passport scans, and many more. This information is often stored in official and commercial databases, which are less secure than that of banks and lending firms. In this article, we share a few tips to remember on how to secure your information when travelling with your husband or wife.

Before the trip

• Keep backups of your documents
  

Write down all the information found on your IDs—passport, credit and debit cards, driver’s license, medical insurance and others. Include details, such as customer care hotlines printed on the cards. In the unfortunate circumstance that you lose your cards, this will make tracing quicker. It can also help you quickly declare your cards as lost so that no one can take advantage of your card.

• Pack only the essentials
  

A big reason people lose things on trips is inattention. They forget to put their money or wallet back in their bag, or they fail to notice if the counter is taking too long with their card. Cut down on your distractions by bringing only what you need. For international trips, this means just your passport, one other official card, and select cards for transactions. Do not bring all your debit and credit cards or your Social Security ID.

• Secure your home and gadgets
  

Stop any delivery services for the duration of your trip. When observant people see that your mailbox is overflowing or you have boxes of deliveries on your porch, they will figure out that you aren’t around. Cancelling deliveries and informing bills collectors will also ensure that you don’t lose important documents while you are gone. Before your trip, you must also secure your mobile and tablets. These are also resources for thieves. Password-protect your gadgets and set them up for tracking in case of loss or theft.

During the trip

• Refrain from posting online
  

It may be tempting to update people on your whereabouts the minute you land at your destination. However, security experts advise against it. Sharing your travel plans and current whereabouts can help thieves track your movements. That makes it easy for them to seize moments where they feel you are at your most digitally vulnerable. You can post about your trip after you’ve returned.

• Avoid free public WiFi
  

Although it is convenient, free public WiFi is an unsecured connection. That makes it easy for thieves to hack your phone. If you cannot help but be online while on your trip—if you need to look up directions, for example—use a mobile router or pocket WiFi. Most airports have electronic stores or kiosks that sell mobile plans specifically for travellers. This way, you can set up a WiFi password and establish another layer of protection.

• Monitor your accounts
  

During your trip, you should constantly check the activity on your bank accounts. Compare it with your purchases and transactions for the day, and see if there is any suspicious activity. Monitoring your accounts might seem like a chore, but doing this now will save you a lot of time, money, and stress later.

Conclusion

It may be exciting to go to new places with your spouse or your family. However, don’t get carried away in the revelries and forget to secure your things. Since people leave digital footprints in nearly all transactions today, it is important to keep your online activities secure, especially when travelling.

If you are looking for a travel agency in Sydney, get in touch with us today! We are an ATAS-accredited company with more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. We offer cruise deals, holiday packages, options for group travel, and more. Make your travel dreams safe and secure with us today.