Summer is a time to take a relaxing break and enjoy some time away from the daily grind. However, this is something that hackers take advantage of. So, to make sure your stress-free break doesn’t turn into a holiday from hell, here are a few tips to help you be cyber-secure this summer.
1. Protect your devices
Make sure all your electronic devices are password protected so that if you lose them, or they get stolen, it’s harder for people to access personal or confidential information that might be on there. In addition, it’s worth activating multifactor authentication on your apps, where possible, especially any that might hold personal information, such as banking or email apps.
2. Be careful when using public WiFi
Whilst it’s convenient to not have to use mobile data, particularly in a foreign country, these networks usually aren’t secure. This means it’s easy for hackers to access and infect devices connected to it with malware. If you are going to use public WiFi networks, use a VPN. Or, if you’re using it for multiplayer gaming, you might want to consider buying a custom WiFi travel adaptor.
3. Don’t sync your devices with smart TVs or rental car bluetooth systems
This is tempting to do as it makes accessing your apps and profiles much easier. However, there is a risk that your data will leak onto those devices. If you do connect any devices, make sure to unlink them before you leave the hotel or car.
4. Be careful with QR codes
Since the pandemic these have become prolific as an easy way to share information. They also make it easy for hackers to share malicious links to phishing websites. In many cases QR codes are unavoidable so just practice caution. Only scan codes from trusted sources and, if using them to make a payment, make sure it’s done using a secure method – a credit card or mobile payment app.
5. Don’t share all your holiday details on social media
As much as you might want to keep friends and family updated while you’re away, don’t share too much information on your social media platforms. This information can be used by criminals to create more convincing social engineering attacks.
6. Be careful with public charging stations
Again, it’s very convenient to be able to charge your mobile phone on the go, however hackers have been known to use USB chargers at public charging spots to install malware on people’s devices. If you need to charge your phone when you’re out and about, use your own cable and plug directly into a power socket.
Ultimately, holidays are supposed to be stress-free, so by following these cybersecurity tips, you’ll have a few less things to worry about.