These days, COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions are looser compared to previous years. As such, many of us could be encouraged to finally resume traveling for entertainment and to create memories with our loved ones.
It may also be a good time to do our “revenge spending” to make up for the opportunities the restrictions took away from us.
However, there are things that could make or break our traveling experience. One of them is cybersecurity. With cybercriminals lurking around us, here are some basic reminders to ensure your can rest easy on your vacation:
This may sound like odd advice. However, the thing is that the fewer devices you would bring to vacation means having to worry about less cybersecurity risks. Devices are a treasure trove of personal information, and you would not want just about anyone taking a peek at your data.
For example, a smartphone would always be essential wherever you need to go, but you can probably leave your work laptop out of your luggage.
When bringing a device, ensure it can only be opened with recognition software, whether facial or fingerprint. Should the worst thing happen, such as accidentally losing your phone, make sure the “Find Lost Phone” feature is enabled so that you can track it down.
In the event it would be impossible to track your lost device, there is an option for you to permanently erase the data there. Do it immediately to prevent any future case of your accounts being hacked.
Vacation trips are a perfect opportunity to show the world how much we are having a good time. Whether through Instagram stories, Facebook posts, or tweets, these posts are our way of remembering the fun memories we have created.
But as you may already know, social media is one of the key areas where cybercriminals are always on the lookout for. There are cases that through social media posts of their victims, criminals can already extract the information they need for their crimes — such as identity theft.
While it’s still okay to post a picture with our loved ones online, make sure this photo would not inadvertently include your or other people’s personal data. For one, a group photo wherein a cybercriminal could see someone’s credit card or ID lying around is inviting trouble to come.
Whatever device you might bring to a vacation — such as a phone, a laptop, or a tablet— make it a habit to download all software updates you are being asked to download. These updates come with security upgrades, such as patches in existing security systems and helping your device detect newer forms of cybercrime.
Cybercriminals continue to create more ways to harm their victims, and fortunately for us, security experts also continue to be innovative to help the public protect themselves. With that being said, the best way to benefit from the work of security experts is regularly downloading software updates on our devices.
There are other common cybercrimes you should be aware of, such as phishing, credit card fraud, and ATM skimming. You should also be wary of public WiFi hotspots while you are outside.
With bonuses, 13th month pay, and even remittances from family members abroad coming in, there is extra motivation from cybercriminals to harm you.
However, with these additional safety tips, you can put your feet up and enjoy the vacation you deserve.
