Cybercriminals thrive during the fall While many of us look forward to a school and the upcoming holiday season, hackers are setting new traps. Whether you’re maybe planning time off at home or traveling abroad this season, here are some preventive measures can help protect you and your devices from becoming the next target.
Some tips you can follow to stay safe online this Summer are:
Practice good cyber hygiene habits before you go on trips. While packing your necessities, devote some time to prepping your devices with strong, unique passwords and back up your data. Don’t forget to install a malware remediation software and VPN on your devices.
Remain safe and avoid dangers online at your destination. Free public Wi-Fi can be tempting, but oftentimes, it’s left unsecure, and can expose your personal information to hackers. Don’t make purchases on unsafe Wi-Fi networks in local cafes, restaurants or hotel lobbies, as these networks can easily be penetrated by hackers and used to steal information including passwords, documents and financial data.
Disable the auto-connect to wireless networks or Bluetooth devices on your smartphone or tablet, and try to avoid online shopping or transactions while on holiday, especially if you have to stay connected to a public Wi-Fi network. If you need to do online banking, use your mobile data if available, and turn on the VPN.
Additionally, think twice before posting your every move on social media. We all love to share trip updates and pictures, but hackers can monitor your social media content, and break into your home while you’re away. Hold out on posting your vacation memories when you return, and if you need to keep your family members updated, use private messaging apps or other means of communication.
Lastly, avoid any shared computers you might find in the business center of your hotel or local coffee shop. You are free to browse the Internet, but avoid making purchases or logging into your email or other online accounts on these public computers, which are easy targets for hackers.
