Summer is full of travel, sun, and fun. However, traveling over such a busy season leaves you vulnerable to cyber-attacks if you don’t take precautions. This summer, avoid cyber-attacks by following this guide.
- Never Use Public Wi-Fi
“(Cyber-attack) can largely be avoided if you stick to apps with proper encryption, and if you only use websites with URLs that start https://, short for “secure HTTP”. This scrambles the data before it leaves your laptop or phone, and (in theory) only unscrambles it after it reaches the other end. Computers in between can’t easily snoop on or sneakily alter the data going back and forth.” (Naked Security).
- Beware of Phishing
“A scammer will send a message telling the recipient that their TSA PreCheck needs to be renewed, but the link in the renewal email leads to a fake site where hackers can accept payment and steal a victim’s personal information. The best advice is to always go directly to the official TSA website for information on existing accounts. For added protection, consumers can also download security protection such as Lookout, which can monitor and identify URL scams in email and text messages as well as on the internet.” (Travel Pulse).
- Back Up Everything Before You Go
“Backing everything up reliably before you set off also means you are free to strip down the amount of digital content you keep loaded on your devices, and thus to reduce the quantity of data you might have to declare or reveal at a border crossing.” (Naked Security).
- Encryption
“Most modern mobile phones come pre-encrypted, but the encryption depends on having a decent lock code, which is used to access the underlying encryption and decryption keys. Don’t settle for an easy lock code for travelling, just in case you get into a crisis and think you might forget it. Pick a nice, long lock code (we recommend 10 digits or more, and we don’t mean 00000 00000 or 12345 12345), and practise using it regularly for a few days before you leave, until you can remember it easily.” (Naked Security).
- Do Your Research
“Prepare yourself before you go by checking up on the entry requirements of anywhere you’re planning to visit. If you don’t like the conditions, then either don’t go there, or don’t take all your electronic devices or all your data with you.” (Naked Security).
Want to learn more about improving cyber security? Responsive Technology Partners is the leading cyber-security expert in the Athens, Metter, Milledgeville, Vidalia, and Atlanta, Georgia areas. We also have locations in Tampa, Florida, Roanoke, Virginia, and Raleigh, North Carolina. Service offerings include I.T. support, cyber-security and compliance, cloud-based POS systems and support, telephony, cloud services, cabling, access control, and camera systems. Our company’s mission is to provide world-class customer service through industry leading I.T. solutions that make every customer feel as if they are our only customer. Please visit our website to learn more: https://www.responsivetechnologypartners.com/.
Sources:
Naked Security. https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2022/07/15/7-cybersecurity-tips-for-your-summer-vacation/
Travel Pulse. https://www.travelpulse.com/news/features/cybersecurity-tips-for-traveling-this-summer.html
