Jetsetter Tips On Cybersecurity Across Borders

Jetsetter Tips on Cybersecurity across borders

Hello, readers of the amazing karmiclifemotion Blog! Today we have a guest post from the amazing site  techwarn.com They are here to help warn you of the dangers to your cybersecurity while traveling over borders! This blog post was provided by Jeff Anderson, the head of communications at TechWarn! He's provided some great tips, so, without further adieu, here's his wonderful guest post!

Traveling abroad always comes with some security risks. Most people are usually concerned about their physical wellbeing. However, your digital life is as important as your real life, and cybercrime is just as real a threat as an ordinary crime. Travelers’ ignorance has made them easy targets for hackers, and many have had their personal and financial data stolen and used against them.

Hackers go for easy targets. Securing your devices will fend off hackers and ensure that your data stays safe. Here are some tips on how to improve cybersecurity when traveling.

1. Lock Your Devices

It is easy to misplace your devices, especially when you’re managing so much while traveling. Anyone can pick your misplaced device and access everything on it; that is unless it is locked.

Virtually all devices come with basic locking security measures. Activating this security measure requires you to input a PIN, password, pattern, or another unlocking mechanism to access the device’s content. This should be your first line of defense against cybersecurity as most people cannot bypass it; your device would have to be flashed and everything erased to get rid of the lock, so you will be safe either way.

You should also consider going beyond the basic manufacturer-provided locking technology and purchase more sophisticated locking and encryption apps. Avoid free apps as they may steal your data; go for premium apps that guarantee privacy and security.   

2. Update Your OS and Install an Anti-Virus Program

In addition to locking your device, it is also advisable to install an anti-virus program. This will protect you from malware attacks, a common attack tool for most hackers. It should be your second line of defense as there are various ways to access a device’s data remotely without having to key in the password.  

It also helps to update your device’s OS and other firmware to the latest versions. Phone and computer manufacturers are always trying to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. In most cases, update releases are usually meant to improve performance and security. Installing these new updates not only makes your device more secure against hackers but also improves your overall user experience.

3. Beware of Public Wi-Fi Networks

The internet is a handy tool that people cannot seem to do without. Travelers find it especially convenient for staying connected to their contacts back at home and get to learn more about their destinations.

Business travelers find that the internet brings the office closest to them. Leisure travelers also use it to explore more of their surroundings. Many cannot pass up a photo-op or direct video streaming. This is why public Wi-Fi is so appreciated. However, most people would keep off public Wi-Fi networks if they knew the risks involved.

Hackers love public Wi-Fi networks! They are easy conduits to sneak into other users’ devices. Everyone connected to the public Wi-Fi network can be hacked without even noticing it. Hackers can eves-drop on whatever you are doing, so you don’t want to get caught online banking. They can also implant malware that can then be used to steal all your important information including log-in details to sensitive sites. Such sensitive information can be used to disrupt your whole life.

There are several effective ways to deal with all the risks posed by insecure Wi-Fi networks:

• Encryption

Public Wi-Fi networks can be secured just by tweaking some settings. Encrypted Wi-Fi networks are relatively safe from even the best hackers. They ensure that each connection to the network stays private so that users cannot spy on their fellow users. Learn how to determine whether a certain Wi-Fi network is secure, and if you are not sure then don’t be shy to ask the relevant people.

• Virtual Private Network

A virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to stay safe whenever you connect to the internet. It turns all connection into your very own personalized networks that only you have access to.

A VPN masks your device’s real IP address and replaces it with another one registered to a server that may be located all the way across the world. Any potential security breach would never get to your device unless the connection was lost. It is the secondary server that would be at risk.

A VPN is so effective that you can even connect to un-encrypted public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN will also help you by-pass restricted sites such as your home Netflix account.

• Bring Your Own Wi-Fi

You can do away with public Wi-Fi networks altogether and use your very own private network. This is the easiest way to be sure that your internet connection is always secure no matter when you travel.

You may pay the extra courier fees for data roaming with your existing mobile network and internet service provider. This, however, can cost you a pretty penny especially if you are a heavy data user. The alternative is to subscribe to global networks or use the local networks at your destination.

Remember: personal Wi-Fi networks can also be hacked, so take measures to secure yours by encrypting it and limiting access to only the number of devices to wish to connect at any one time.

4. Avoid Over-sharing Your Location

Some people argue that life’s zest comes from seeing and experiencing new things every day. Traveling to new places is the best way to see and experience new things. This is why many people are always eager to share their escapes with friends and relatives; and what better way to do it than on social media sites where all of your friend's network, meet, and socialize?

It is okay to document your travels on social media. However, some caution should be taken as it exposes your itinerary for everyone to see.

You would be surprised how many ways over-sharing your location would put you in harm’s way. Buglers who may know about you and where you live can take the chance to break in and steal your personal valuables. Your hotel attendants can also use the information to track your movements, and some hotel attendees don’t mind working with criminals to take advantage of ‘naive’ tourists.  

5. Check All Your Wireless Connections

Your device is at risk as long as it is connected to unknown networks. It doesn’t have to be a Wi-Fi network or a lousy Bluetooth connection; as long as there is access there is a considerable risk.

Your device can automatically connect to available Wi-Fi networks if you don’t tweak and specify the settings. Restrict access to any unauthorized networks without your approval. You can also go a step further and prohibit your phone from scanning for available networks without your permission.

You should also avoid unauthorized Bluetooth connections. They may seem harmless, but hackers can use any device with a Bluetooth connection to your device to steal sensitive data and implant malware and spyware.

6. Verify All Messages and Communications

Hackers don’t need to steal your banking and personal data to get to you. Sometimes all they need is a smart mind and pretentious identity. They often do this, and they are getting fond of one technique in particular: Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud. This technique is so simple that most people don’t even realize they are being conned, and the worst part is that anyone in business and with access to online banking is a potential target.

APP fraud is all about pretense and calculation. Hackers get access to your business data and present themselves as one of your clients or business associates. They impersonate everything about the chosen profile so as not to arouse suspicion. They then ask for payment for work that they have supposedly done, and if you agree to go through with it they provide an anonymous bank account.

Implementing the aforementioned security tips will keep hackers out of your email address and other business-related digital platforms. If, however, they still get through somehow, then you should be suspicious of all communications when traveling. Verify all communications by contacting your clients and business associates personally.

A Comprehensive Solution to All Risks

There are too many cybersecurity risks to account for when traveling. Hackers always manage to find a way to sneak into your device and steal precious data. However, there is one comprehensive solution to all these risks: a virtual private network.

As mentioned, VPN masks and replaces your IP address with another one. It is as if you are not using your personal device. To this end, all attacks instigated by hackers are redirected to the remote server masking your original IP address. A VPN also encloses internet connection; your connection to a public Wi-Fi would not be visible to other users, including the most sophisticated hackers.

Every traveler (and internet user) with sensitive digital data should have a VPN. All you need is one VPN account to keep all your devices safe. One VPN account can accommodate several connections; hopefully as many as all your devices. Get a VPN for iPhones and all of your other devices, and always stay connected to stay safe.