2023-12-15 09:17:05
Strengthening digital security for travelers during the holiday season
With travel increasing during the holiday season, it’s important to keep cybersecurity in mind. Traveling presents various risks, from theft or loss of devices to compromise of personal or professional accounts. According to a recent study by Allaboutcookies, more than 40% of international travelers admitted to frequently using unsecured Wi-Fi networks while traveling, exposing their sensitive data to potential threats.
For Fabrice de Vésian, Sales Manager at Yubico, if the rapid activation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a first step to thwart any compromise, it is essential to raise consumer awareness of additional security practices.
“As travelers prepare for the Christmas holidays, it is essential to keep online safety in mind. Indeed, in today’s digital world, putting preventive measures into practice when traveling is essential to thwart any fraud attempt.
Avoiding public Wi-Fi networks is a basic recommendation to follow to ensure your safety while traveling. Although they provide convenient connectivity in busy locations such as airports and train stations, they represent a potential entry point for cybercriminals. These access points, often insecure, can allow hackers to access sensitive user data, thus compromising their privacy and online security. Also, to prevent any unintentional connection to public Wi-Fi networks, deactivating the automatic connection function in the device settings is essential. This approach reduces exposure to cyber threats. Alternatively, travelers can activate tethering on their smartphone to access the internet if they ever need to do something quickly, the risks being limited unlike the public network.
In the same way, it is advisable to avoid the direct use of USB ports in public establishments or in hotels, as well as cables made available in these places or even charging stations for telephones, because they are potential vectors for cyberattacks. In order to control the information exposed on the lock screen of mobile devices, it is important to adjust settings to limit the visibility of sensitive data, to prevent unauthorized access in case of prying eyes.
The Bluetooth function also constitutes a gateway for cybercriminals. When enabled, they can steal sensitive information by connecting to previously connected devices. It is therefore advisable to put it offline or in “hidden” mode, which can prevent unknown devices from pairing with a phone. Additionally, setting Airdrop settings to “contacts only” prevents unknown devices from sharing content publicly.
Finally, completely turning off computers and mobile phones when going through security checks at airports or customs, for example, allows them to fully exploit their hardware security features, such as full disk encryption. This helps protect your data in the event of loss or theft of the device.
During these holiday periods, online vigilance is essential when traveling, with cybercriminals on the lookout for the slightest loophole. By adopting simple measures, users will significantly reduce risks and be able to enjoy a safer travel experience. »
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