Some countries are safer for tourists than others, but when it comes to cybercrime, you are in danger pretty much anywhere. If you are not careful, hackers can steal your personal information, intercept your communications, and many more.

Hackers are just waiting for their opportunity, and most of us are not concerned about cybersecurity while traveling, which gives them the perfect opportunity to attack. Even booking flights have become unsafe due to hackers getting access to user information from large airlines.

Furthermore, there is no need to travel with multiple devices as you can leave some back home. Services like Meshnet create a network of remote access devices, which is convenient when you are halfway around the world.

Luckily, there are more ways to protect yourself and your data while on the move!

How to protect yourself from cyber threats

So before you head out of your home and hit the road, it is good to read a bit about the potential cyber threats that await your journey. Here are some basics that will protect your devices and information:

Be careful with public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi networks are available everywhere – from cafes to airports and hotels. They are very convenient when we are on the go. But be careful when selecting a public network from the list. For instance, make sure you connect to the right network. Hackers often create fake Wi-Fi networks with the name of your hotel or a restaurant you might be at.

Furthermore, having a VPN on your phone or laptop can help in this situation. If you are on the fence about a particular network, switch on your VPN, just in case. The encryption will protect the data you send or receive, making it useless to any third parties.

Enable two-step authentication

We all know that using weak passwords is not a great idea nowadays, but enabling two-step authentication is highly recommended because it adds a crucial layer of security to your accounts. It is an exquisite tool that ensures you are the only person with access to your accounts.

Since two-step authentication requires your password, as well as a code sent to your phone or another device, hackers won’t be able to access your account even if they obtain your login credentials. Therefore, it is a must-have even if you are not traveling.

Set passwords on your devices

The password-protected phone is the norm, but the same can’t be said for laptops. It can be dangerous when traveling with several devices. Leaving them unattended is not advisable, so consider adding a password or file encryption.

You could also travel without your work laptop and only take devices you need or plan on using. If you are worried you might need a file from your work computer, maybe connect it to Meshnet. It will be added to the list of remote access devices, which means you’ll have access to the data at all times.

Install all the available updates

Before you pack your laptop or phone for a long journey, double-check if you have installed all the available updates – they are there for a reason. Using an old operating system without the latest security updates could be risky, especially when out of the country.

Developers are working hard to patch up every potential security flaw, and it is highly recommended that you keep your devices updated. It takes just a few minutes, but an update can keep your data safe and protected.

Beware of phishing scams

Phishing is a real problem even when you are not on vacation, but it could be more frequent when you are in a foreign country. Any message or email with an unknown link from a sketchy source should be ignored and deleted. Surely, some phishing messages could seem legit but always look for shortened URLs.

Additionally, check the email address of the sender. They could be posing as Netflix or even your bank, but a wrong email is a clear indicator they are posing as someone else for you to click on the link and type in your credentials. Good antivirus software should warn you when you click on an unsafe link, so watch out for a popup message.