Cybersecurity Tips for Travelers

• Pare back: Don't travel with more devices than you'll really need. A smartphone is likely essential for getting around, but your laptop can stay home unless it's also a work trip. Even then, some companies can furnish employees with loaner laptops that don't contain personal information.
• Prep your devices: For each device you're taking, make sure to:
  • Update the operating systems, antivirus software, and apps you'll be using to ensure you've downloaded the latest security patches. 
  • Enable location services so you can track them through features such as Find My Phone. 
  • Turn off cookies and autofill options in your web browser so that an unauthorized user can't automatically access your accounts through saved usernames and passwords. 
  • Enable the auto-lock feature and make sure your devices have strong passwords or a PIN to protect sensitive information. 
  • Back up your data to cloud storage or to an external thumb drive so you can still access it if your device is compromised during your trip.
  • Turn on the remote wiping feature so you can erase the data on your device if it's lost or stolen. 
• Consider subscribing to a virtual private network (VPN) service: A VPN masks your IP address and makes it more difficult for hackers to find and target your specific device. It also encrypts your data—such as credit card numbers and passwords—so it's unreadable to anyone who might intercept it.
• Settle your accounts: Pay bills early and close any open trades so you won't need to access your financial accounts until you're back home. If you do need to access such sites, be sure to look for the "https://" in the address, which is a protocol used to securely send data from a web browser to a website.
• Bring some cash: Card skimmers on ATMs are an international problem, so bringing cash in the currency of the country you're visiting will reduce the need to use cash machines while you're there. If you do need to use an ATM, choose one that's located inside a bank or hotel, which should provide additional security. You can also most likely use a credit card or your phone's digital wallet for purchases.
• Print out important information: Have a hard copy of your itinerary and jot down the customer service number for the credit cards you'll be taking, along with the phone number and address of your country's local embassy and consulate if you'll be overseas. That way, if you do lose access to any devices, you'll have the information you need to head off criminal activity quickly.
• Freeze your credit: It's relatively easy to set up a temporary freeze on your credit with the three credit agencies—TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian—so nobody can open accounts using your Social Security number. Be sure to do it by creating an online account with each specific agency and use a strong password. At the very least, setting up fraud alerts will require the agencies to verify your identity before extending credit in your name.

• Keep your devices close: Leaving a device out in public, even on the table in front of you, is a surefire way to attract thieves. If you need to leave a device in your hotel room, use a safe if it's available. The front desk might also have a safety deposit box.
• Avoid public networks: As I mentioned, free Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, or cafes can be easily spoofed by cyberthieves looking to obtain your information. Be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with on-site staff to ensure the network is legitimate. Better still, consider paying for a password-protected option or tethering your laptop or tablet to your phone's personal hotspot, which is generally more secure than using a public wireless network.
• Turn off auto connections: Disable remote connectivity and Bluetooth when not in use to ensure your device doesn't automatically try to connect to available wireless networks and other devices, which can put your devices on nearby hackers' radars.  
• Refrain from posting: It might be tough to resist but wait until you get home to post photos and updates to your social accounts. Local thieves often troll social media looking for evidence that people are away from home. Keeping your social accounts private can help thwart unwanted access but it's not foolproof.

• Review your accounts: Check each of your financial accounts for suspicious transactions and pull up your credit report to see if any new accounts have been opened while you were away. It's also worth examining your medical insurance claims to see if anything seems amiss, as instances of medical fraud are on the rise.
• Change your passwords: It's a good idea to refresh your passwords periodically, and returning home from a trip is as good a time as any to do this in case any of your information was compromised. Be sure not to share the same passwords across sensitive accounts.

Some of these tips might seem like overkill, particularly if you'll only be gone for a short time, but the effort to protect yourself pales in comparison to the work involved in correcting fraudulent charges and undoing larger-scale identify theft—to say nothing of the stress you would face. With the scale and sophistication of cybercrime these days, it's always better to be safe than sorry.