Protect your personal data while travelling: Your cybersecurity checklist

There’s an essential that often slips our minds in the buzz of our holiday preparations. While you’re deciding what to take, don’t forget this other important item. Just as you’d insure yourself against lost luggage or flight cancellations, safeguarding your devices and online presence are part making sure you have a problem-free trip.

Having cybersecurity measures in place makes a world of difference to keeping your personal information protected while you’re exploring and relaxing. Here’s what to look out for and how you can prepare.

Digital risks that can dampen travel plans

Here’s what to look out for when thinking about how to protect personal data while travelling.

1. Public Wi-Fi networks in hotels, cafes, and airports provides perfect hunting grounds for cybercriminals looking to snoop on your online activities
2. Your devices are more vulnerable to theft or loss when you’re on the move, potentially exposing your personal data to prying eyes
3. Travel-related scams and phishing attempts spike during popular holiday periods, targeting unsuspecting tourists
4. Using unfamiliar ATMs or payment systems in foreign countries can put your financial information at risk.

However, with a few simple precautions and a dash of awareness, you can significantly reduce these risks.

Before you leave

Some digital preparation can go a long way in ensuring your cybersecurity while travelling. Here’s your travel cybersecurity checklist.

Update your devices and software

Make sure all your devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops – are running the latest versions of their operating systems and apps. These updates often include security patches that protect against the latest vulnerabilities.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even if someone guesses your password, with 2FA is enabled, they’ll still need a second step to verify and gain access. This verification step can be managed a few ways:

• an app that generates unique, time sensitive codes
• a code sent to your phone or email
• a phone notification enabled through your account platform (“tap to verify it’s you”)
• or your fingerprint.

It’s a simple step that dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorised access to your accounts and serves as an alert if there’s a suspicious login attempt.

Back up your data

Store copies of all your important files, photos, and documents somewhere other than the devices you’re taking with you,

• Cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox can automatically sync your files
• An external hard drive can store a local copy of your data
• For smaller files, you can even email important documents to yourself.

Install a reputable VPN

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to install a reputable VPN. A Virtual Private Network is like a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. It encrypts your data and masks your location, making it much harder for cybercriminals to intercept your information or track your online activities.

Related Article: Virtual Private Networks: Digital privacy protection (but not your only defence).

Be wary using public Wi-Fi

We must always be cautious about using public Wi-Fi networks, as they are a hotbed for cybercriminal activity. These networks often lack proper encryption, making it easy for hackers to intercept your data, launch man-in-the-middle attacks, or even set up malicious hotspots to trick unsuspecting users.

Use your mobile data or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot instead, which offer more secure connections with stronger encryption and greater control over who can access the network.

Related Article: Public WiFi risks and how to protect yourself.

Be mindful of what you share online

While sharing your adventures online is part of the experience, we must mindful of what we post as a key way to protect personal data while traveling.

• Review and adjust your social media privacy settings before your trip; like temporarily disabling location services
• Avoid real-time location updates, as these can alert anyone watching that your home is empty, or make you a target at your current location
• Consider posting social media check-ins after you’ve left a place rather than while you’re there
• Limit your posts to close friends and family
• Share your amazing holiday photos and stories when you’re back home safe and sound.

What to do if your information is compromised

For lost or stolen devices, immediately change passwords for all your accounts and enable remote tracking or wiping features if available. Report the incident to local authorities and your bank to freeze any compromised accounts.

For emergency cybersecurity assistance, reach out to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (1300 CYBER1) or visit their website. IDCARE (1800 595 160) is Australia’s national identity and cybercrime support service. Contact your travel insurance provider, as they may offer support services too.