You pack your first aid kit, you take a picture of your passport, and you buy travel insurance for the trip, hoping you’ll never actually need it. But somewhere between booking the flights and throwing the clothes in the suitcase, most people forget about their own devices and the real ways in which they become the compromise we’re so worried about.
This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about closing the fear and gaps that get exploited all the time, whether in airports, hostels, or cafes all around the world.
Public Wi-Fi Is Where Most Travel Security Problems Start
The free network at some airport lounge or the one at that guesthouse in Lisbon is too tempting, isn’t it? We all have used those at some point to quickly send an email or respond to a family member, but these are all potential problems. A technique called a “man-in-the-middle” attack lets someone sit between your phone and the internet without you having a clue. There are also the “evil twin” scams, where a fake hotspot deliberately named to look like the legitimate one steals your credentials when you connect.
That’s why, as you might’ve heard, a VPN is essential, as it encrypts your traffic before it leaves your device. This makes it unreadable even if someone is watching your device and its traffic. It’s one of the most practical travel cybersecurity tips to implement, as it can be applied across the world regardless of the infrastructure.
Sort Your Devices Before You Leave
There’s a window between booking your trip and boarding the plane, which is the most critical for your devices. Start with the updates, as every unpatched OS or app might become an entry point, and attackers know which vulnerabilities are available. Enable full-disk encryption, which is FileVault on Mac or BitLocker on Windows, which means if your device gets stolen, the data is still unreadable without your login.
Don’t forget to back up everything in case of emergencies, as even if the worst-case situation occurs, you don’t want to lose everything you own on your phone. Mac users in particular are worth addressing here, as there’s a myth that Macs don’t get as much malware. However, the reality is that they do, and it’s becoming more frequent. Checking with Moonlock on the Mac security scene before you head off is a sensible part of making sure your machine is actually in good shape, not just you assuming it is. The need to protect your devices while travelling and getting your defences set at home is far easier than dealing with a compromise.
This is also a good moment to review which apps have access to location, camera, and mic. Remove anything you don’t actively use or need.
Your Accounts Need as Much Attention as Hardware
Travel security tips also involve checking your accounts. Use a great password manager if you don’t already, and know that reusing passwords across your accounts is one of the most common reasons a single breach becomes a cascade of them.
Moreover, two-factor authentication adds a meaningful additional layer, as most platforms support it, and it should be enabled on anything that really matters. That includes email, banking, and accommodation booking accounts.
One thing worth noting is that SMS-based 2FA, where a code comes via text, is more vulnerable than app-based authentication, like an authenticator app. That’s because SIM swapping is a thing, where someone convinces you to switch over your phone number to them.
Physical Security Is Still Part of Travel Security Tips
Software protection only goes so far if your device is just left on the table without you there. So, set up a strong screen lock with a short lock timer, maybe around 30 seconds to one minute. Then, get into the habit of taking your devices with you everywhere instead of “just taking a moment” to place an order. A laptop out in broad daylight can be snatched so easily in a busy market.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency publishes guidance for travellers on how to secure travel devices abroad, so it’s worth reading before you head off.
At the end of the day, the basics of online safety while travelling aren’t complicated. They only require you to think a little more about your devices before you travel, just like you think of protecting your passport. Take precautions, as they’re much easier to do than mitigating any problems that occur.
READ MORE PRACTICAL TRAVEL GUIDES FROM WANDERLUSTERS
