Our recent #TuesdayTechTip highlighted some tips to follow to keep your tech and finances safe against malicious attacks when traveling. It is such a popular topic that we have expanded on some of the best practices shared in the video.
With the holidays quickly approaching, there will be a lot of travel happening to visit family, friends, and loved ones. One thing that never stops, however, is malicious attacks.
Did you know that cyberattacks tend to occur more during the holidays and weekends? Hackers target those times because people are not paying attention to the smallest transactions. While traveling, you're most likely making stops at restaurants, gas stations, and even rest stops for a coffee. Understanding this, we’ve put together some crucial security tips to help you stay safe during the holidays while you travel to visit your loved ones!
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card — Never use your debit card for purchases as it gives hackers easy access to the funds in your bank account. Using your credit card for purchases is effective because if you see any form of fraudulent payment, you can cancel your account without the hackers having the ability to retrieve the money through your personal bank account.
- Avoid free Wi-Fi — Although connecting to free public Wi-Fi is convenient, it is often unsecured and can expose your devices and personal information to hackers. Instead, use a VPN or your mobile phone as a hotspot when going online in public spaces.
- Disable auto-connect on your device — If your mobile phone or tablet automatically connects to wireless networks or Bluetooth devices, disable those features so you don't connect to the free public Wi-Fi automatically.
- Think before you click — Pay attention to emails you receive. Don’t open emails from unknown senders or click on links in suspicious messages.
- Don’t share your primary email — If you decide to sign up for a free store membership when making a purchase, consider using a secondary email account. That way, your primary email account won’t be inundated with junk mail nor will it be at risk of being spoofed which happens when hackers try to closely mimic your email address to trick others into clicking malicious files or links.
Staying cyber-safe during your holiday travels will ensure you enjoy a peaceful celebration. Safe travels!