How To Stay Safe Online During Your Travels
Travelling is a great way to be close to new places; however, it has its own set of risks, especially your online security. Wi-Fi networks in common public places like cafes, hotels, and airports are notorious for being the most insecure.
It’s a blessed land for hackers, who are always ready to pounce on your personal information.
Again, if your devices are lost or stolen on the road, people with malicious intentions could gain access to your private data. However, a few online travel safety tips can act to safeguard you and enable you to use the web safely while you travel.
Do Not Use Insecure Public Wi-Fi
Free public Wi-Fi has its own convenience, but it is under the target zone of cyber hackers and criminals. These fraudulent elements can easily create fake hotspots that mimic real ones and make you connect to them.
Later, they will easily extract updates on your activities online. They fetch your logins or even direct you to a harmful website.
If you really need to connect to public Wi-Fi, make sure that a password safeguards the network and that reputable sources have provided it.
You usually get such protected online networks in hotels or a well-known chain of coffee shops. It’s better to refrain from connecting to the regular-named networks, such as “Free Airport Wi-Fi.” It is always a great idea to check with an employee regarding the exact network name.
Make Use Of A VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is probably the most secure way of web surfing when using public Wi-Fi. It is one of the effective online travel safety tips, that helps create an encrypted gateway or tunnel between the internet connection and your device.
This move can help create a shield agains anyone on the same network monitoring your activities. You should find the best VPN with split tunneling.
They come with conserved bandwidth and selective protection. Also, they care about cost-effectiveness about cost-effectiveness and help improve your performance.
However, most free VPN services have low security and, in some cases, even sell your data to third parties. Hence, you must use a VPN to be on the safer side against any untrusted network. Some other great options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and ProtonVPN.
Update Devices And Software
Before you head to new places, you must make efforts to update all of your devices with the latest security patches. Hackers constantly devise new ways to exploit software vulnerabilities. Therefore, you really have to keep your software up-to-date with the latest security.
Always remember to set your password security and encryption on the devices. It can offer you security in case your password gets stolen or lost.
In addition, use strong, unique passwords and enable 2-factor authentication. Consider enabling a method to wipe devices or using a remote lock if they ever fall into people with harmful intentions.
Be Cautious Of Phishing Attempts
Phishing is one of the most popular online travel safety tips, used by fraudsters to trick you into giving your personal information, like your login or credit card number. Be very cautious about any links or attachments from a source you do not know, specifically those that come with a sense of urgency or that sound just too good to be true.
Some signs an email might be a phishing attempt include:
- Generic greetings like “Dear Sir/Madam.”
- Requests for personal information
- Poor spelling and grammar
- Mismatched email domains (e.g. the “From” address doesn’t match the company name)
If you’re not certain an email is genuine, access the organization’s website by typing the organization URL into your browser instead of clicking on the links.
Do Not Log Into Sensitive Accounts
You should never use public Wi-Fi to access bank accounts. Also you should keep away from buy on e-commerce websites, or access any other sensitive account. Try to avoid it all until you are home or using a reliable private network.
If you must log into any important account, do it over your cellular data connection rather than using Wi-Fi. Although not foolproof, cell networks are usually more secure than public hot spots. For additional protection, you can even enable a VPN on your mobile device.
Make Backups For Your Data: One Of The Best Online Travel Safety Tips
Before the trip, back up crucial information, such as documents, photographs, and contacts, into your devices so that losing, stealing, or compromising a device will not take everything with it.
Automate the backup of all your files with a secure cloud backup service or on an external hard drive that you will encrypt and leave at home or in a trusted location.
What To Consider When Buying A Vpn
In the previous section, we discussed the virtues of using a VPN to keep your network safe from malicious elements. Hence, the discussion of key considerations when buying a VPN.
1. Payment
Ensure that you understand the mechanism of VPN in keeping you anonymous even though you use a non-anonymous method to make payments, such as credit cards.
If you have to pay a non-anonymous method like a credit card, then you must consider your VPN privacy policy most carefully. It can help you link the information to the online usage.
Moreover, you can use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for your payments, as it can help you remain anonymous.
2. Strong Encryption Protocols
A safe and secure VPN will help you keep your browsing habits protected.
We already mentioned the vulnerability of the online network. Strong resistance is always needed to protect your network and stop hackers from accessing your sensitive personal data.
A strong VPN protocol is one of the most effective ways to keep yourself secure. A service with strong internet protocols contains flexibility and top features pertaining to security.
Moreover, a renewed VPN service always uses the updates in real time with the help of a fully dedicated web community. A renowned VPN provider caters to both mobile and Windows users.
3. Bandwidth And Performance Speed
One of the primary concerns about your VPN is your online privacy and security. But as a user, you will definitely not compromise on speed, that’s for sure. Fast streaming will be at the forefront of privacy if you’re looking for a new VPN.
If having fast internet is key to you, then you must go for the unlimited brandwith as you will get the ISP speed limits.
4. Kill Switch Capability
A kill switch capability helps you maintain your online privacy at all times. However, having one is like having a security button. It automatically turns on the internet when the VPN is not functioning. Hence, if you are looking for a VPN, then you must have this feature.
5. Availability On Multiple Devices
If you are searching for a VPN to protect your tablet, phone, and laptop, you must select a paid service that can help you provide the right coverage for multiple devices.
Many people purchase their laptops and phones at various times and even upgrade them when their contracts expire. Therefore, it makes sense to have a VPN that can protect up to five devices.
Conclusion
Online security is a major requirement, especially when travelling. Fraudsters with malicious intent are always ready to pounce on your network and harm you. Hence, you must be aware of and follow the online travel safety tips to keep yourself safe and secure online. Moreover, consider these points while buying a VPN.
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