When we travel, we tend to pay a lot of attention to what we have on our person. Pick-pockets can easily take things like our mobile phone, wallet, and other items. But in the age of the internet, there is something that many people find even more valuable—and that is your digital data! This is why it’s essential to protect your digital information, especially when you’re on the go.
Our mobile phones, other mobile devices, and laptops hold more than just some photos—they hold our whole lives! And often, because so many of us rely on our devices for entertainment, financial matters, and more, we hop on airport Wi-Fi, hotel Wi-Fi, the free internet at the coffee shop, and more. This means that most people are more than a little susceptible to having their data stolen.
So, as you make your travel checklist, how can you make sure that your digital data is safe? Here are some tips:
Be Mindful Of Updates
For those who are avid update-avoiders, make sure that before you travel all of your devices are already updated. Then switch off auto-updates! Not only will you save your data, but you won’t be downloading what could be large amounts on any free Wi-Fi. (Or worse, attempting to download over the internet or web where you don’t have a data plan!)
Secure Your Passwords
If you only use your laptop or other device at home, you might skip putting a password on it. But before you travel, one easy way to protect your digital information is to add a password that is tough to crack. Many devices now offer fingerprint or face recognition for locking and unlocking—put these on and set them up properly! Not only does a face or fingerprint help protect your digital data, but in the event of theft, criminals aren’t going to be able to get into the device—rendering it useless.
Be sure to set up the ‘Find My Device’ option, too, and make sure that you can track, delete data, or set off an alarm if it gets lost or stolen.
Get a VPN
A VPN isn’t just handy for watching movies that are only available in another country (one of the most common uses), but it is a direct block between you and a would-be criminal. There are many VPNs on the market, so you can easily find the one that works for you. Most people don’t know their own actual IP address, but a VPN will change it anyway; if you want to know what your current IP address is, check out https://clearvpn.com/what-is-my-ip/.
A VPN is one of the best barriers between your device and the internet—keeping what you do and your data much safer. Plus, they are cheaper now than ever and can work across multiple devices.
Buy Your Own Gear
We often don’t think about the risk of plugging our devices into the outlets of a coffee shop, but plugging it in anywhere that has been tampered with can trigger an automatic connection (especially true in cars) where the person who tampered with the connection can access your device without you even knowing. Make sure to bring plenty of cables of your own, and avoid plugging into any systems that aren’t yours. A portable power source is the best option, if possible. While you’re at it, you may want to invest in backup portable batteries, too!
Another thing to keep in mind is that your device screen can be seen over your shoulder and on either side. You may want to invest in a laptop privacy screen or a mobile phone privacy screen that blocks the view from any direction (apart from straight on).
These are just a few steps you can take to be safer when you travel! PS: If you’re a parent, don’t forget to implement these steps for your children’s devices, too!
PS: You can read other travel tips and hacks here!