Accessing the internet on the go while you travel can expose you to various cyber risks. Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks at the airports, hotels, restaurants or cafés increases the risk of encountering hackers and other malicious actors since public networks are often unsecured. In such cases, hackers can use this vulnerability to steal your confidential information or install malware on your device without your knowledge.
Implementing cybersecurity practices while traveling will protect you from individuals or groups that intentionally seek to cause harm to digital identities of people, their devices or systems and increase your overall cybersecurity.
Cyber threats that are most commonly encountered while traveling include identity theft via online victim profiling, infecting devices with malware, stealing passwords and other confidential data. Majority of such cyber attacks happen through unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Once connected to a public network, a hacker can monitor your activity and if you type a password over an unencrypted channel, they can catch it and use it for unauthorized access to your online accounts. The same applies to various other credentials and bank account logins.
Additionally, physical theft of devices is another common cyber threat. Leaving your laptop or mobile phone unattended while quickly grabbing lunch at an airport can be detrimental if a hacker gets their hands on your appliance. In such a case, your device can be stolen and your personal data, accounts and passwords can be taken advantage of.
Besides avoiding unprotected public Wi-Fi networks and never leaving your device unattended, there are additional steps you can implement to increase your online safety while traveling. The best cybersecurity practices for luxury travelers include:
A VPN, also known as Virtual Private Network, is a great tool to increase your online privacy and security while traveling. It creates a virtual, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Essentially, all data traveling to and from your appliance is protected and hidden from prying eyes. Often connecting to public Wi-Fi networks is unavoidable, especially if you need internet connection on the go. By using a VPN, you can safely use public networks because it hides all your traffic and personal information which makes it almost impossible for hackers to access. Additionally, a VPN hides your IP-address and offers the benefit of changing your virtual location. That allows you to browse and book foreign hotels and rentals as well as find cheaper flight tickets that otherwise are unavailable in your region.
Another great practice to protect yourself while traveling is using strong passwords. A strong password includes at least 12 characters, a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers and symbols. It can’t be a word that can be found in a dictionary or name of a person, character, product or organization. Hackers can run brute force algorithms using the information they already have to submit all possible password combinations hoping to guess it correctly and gain unauthorized access to your account. Therefore, using strong passwords is essential. Additionally, a tool such as a password manager can help you create, store and manage all your passwords.
Two-factor or multi-factor authentication is a login process that requires multiple steps rather than just a password alone to access an account. For example, users might be asked to enter a code from their smartphone, answer a security question, scan a fingerprint or use facial recognition in order to complete the login process. This measure adds an additional layer of security making it harder for attackers to gain access to your device or online accounts because a password alone is not enough to pass the authentication check.
Luxury traveling can be an amazing experience if you prioritize your online safety and take appropriate steps to secure your data, identity and online presence. That way you can travel with a peace of mind and total relaxation. To accomplish the best travel experience, luxury travelers should implement measures such as getting a VPN, using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication to boost their cybersecurity and protect themselves from malicious actors and various cyber threats.
