There’s a temptation to connect to public Wi-Fi and charge your devices.
Many of our daily activities are centered around digital technology and online. It has become a staple of our lives, and the scale and scope of it has been greatly increased by the disruption and hybrid working practices created by the coronavirus pandemic. From Teams meetings and sending work emails to booking travel, banking and shopping, we now share and consume more and more sensitive personal data on our devices.
This change has brought new efficiencies, but it has also exposed us all to new cyber threats. This is especially true when you’re traveling for work or play and are tempted to connect to public Wi-Fi or charge your device via a USB port, such as at an airport or train station.
Therefore, if you rely on the Internet for your personal or work needs while traveling, keep security in mind as much as possible to reduce the risk of working or accessing information in unfamiliar locations. It is important to take these measures.
Be sure to update the operating system on your entire device before you travel. This includes apps on your phone. It’s also worth considering disabling or deleting non-urgent apps that contain personal or financial information for the duration of your trip.
Laws and regulations governing online security vary by country. Free Wi-Fi access at airports and train stations is appealing, but there are also threats such as “man-in-the-middle” (MITM) attacks from compromised routers or “evil twin” connections that often take the form of There are security risks involved. There are similar name connections and are usually associated with nearby shops and eateries.
Internet cafes and free Wi-Fi hotspots are also worth avoiding unless they require a password. Even with this layer of protection, it is best not to access personal accounts or sensitive data on such networks. At the very least, consider using his VPN for your personal Wi-Fi connection or creating an encrypted hotspot from your phone to connect to other personal devices.
Publicly accessible USB ports pose significant risks to your devices and data. This threat, known as “juicejacking,” has grown significantly in recent years and allows criminals to load malware onto unsuspecting users’ phones and other devices. This malware can lock your device and export data such as passwords directly to scammers. We recommend carrying a mains charger or using a personal power bank when traveling. In other words, public girlfriend USB ports should be avoided.
Most mobile phones in African countries have settings that allow the device to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks. While this is a convenient feature, traveling abroad also comes with risks.
Change this setting before you travel so your smartphone or laptop will ask you before connecting every time you access the Internet. The same applies to Bluetooth connectivity on the go. Unless you need to use Wi-Fi, it’s best to turn this feature off when you’re traveling. This also increases the battery life of your device.
It’s common to update social media while traveling to a new city or country. The problem with this is that it creates a security threat. By announcing your location, criminals can easily determine that you are not in your hotel room or home, potentially putting your personal belongings at risk of break-in. Limit the information you post about your whereabouts online and consider how accessible your content will be to people other than your followers and close friends before you embark on your trip.
Most smartphones, laptops, and tablets come with security settings that allow you to lock your device using a PIN number or fingerprint ID. Make sure this is the default across your personal devices. Consider changing her PIN number before traveling and repeating this process upon your return to reduce the risk of a breach.
This is probably the simple step most overlooked by travelers. However, with the advent of mobile banking applications and internet banking applications, its implementation has become much easier. Gone are the days when you had to go into a branch or put your phone on hold to talk to your bank. Most banking apps have encrypted chat or messaging features that can notify you of your movements. By taking this quick and almost painless action before you travel, you can nip potential credit or debit card fraud in the bud and save money without the fear or headache of having your account restricted. will be able to access.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so be mindful of the personal risks you face and adopt these simple habits before setting off on your trip.