Travel at Ease: Best Cybersecurity Practices While on Vacation

by | Jul 15, 2024

Summer is a popular time for business owners and employees to step out of the office and take a well-deserved vacation. Even if their “out of office” e-mail responder is active, many people will periodically check in on work at least once while traveling. This practice seems harmless, however, connecting to the Internet at a local coffee shop can lead to major cybersecurity issues.

If you or your employees will be answering urgent e-mails from the airport or accessing network documents in the hotel lobby, it’s essential to maintain strong cybersecurity best practices to avoid exposing the company’s network to hackers preying nearby.

In this blog post, we’ll cover what cybersecurity best practices are necessary for you to take before and during any trip to keep your network secure from hackers.

Why Cybersecurity Matters While Traveling

Cybersecurity might not be at the top of your vacation checklist, but ignoring it can turn your dream getaway into a horrible nightmare. Cybercriminals are well aware that summer is a prime time for attacks. They exploit the fact that people are more likely to let their guard down while on vacation, focusing on enjoyment rather than maintaining strict cybersecurity practice, making them easy targets for hackers.

To minimize the risk of a cyberattack while traveling, here are a few best practices to cover with anyone on your team who might connect to the Internet while on vacation.

Before You Go:

  1. Back up your data – If your device gets lost, stolen, or compromised, you’ll want to ensure you have a recent copy of your data available to be restored.
  2. Update your software – Make sure your operating system software, web browsers and apps have all been updated to the latest version. Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
  3. Protect your devices – You should always lock your device using a PIN, passcode, fingerprint or facial recognition feature, but if you don’t already, set this up before traveling. If you leave your device unattended and someone attempts to access it, they will have full access to your private information if it’s not locked.
  4. Enable “Find My Phone” – This feature allows you to locate your device if you lose it, but it also gives you the power to remotely wipe data or disable the device if it falls into the wrong hands.

While Traveling:

  1. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – A VPN encrypts your Internet connection, ensuring your data is secure even when you use public WiFi networks. Before you leave, set up a VPN on your devices and use it whenever you access the Internet.
  2. Don’t connect to public WiFi – While public WiFi offers convenience, these networks can be a hotspot for cybercriminal activity. Avoid unprotected networks whenever possible. (Yes, that means no checking your e-mail on the beach unless you have a VPN!)
  3. Manage location services – Location tools are useful for navigating new places but can also expose your location to criminals. Turn off location services when you’re not actively using that feature, and consider limiting how you share your location on social media.
  4. Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) – MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second verification form, such as a text message code, authenticator code or fingerprint scan. This feature should be enabled for all accounts containing sensitive information, particularly for email, banking, and social media accounts.
  5. Disable auto-connect features – Some devices automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. These features can give cybercriminals access to your devices if you connect to the wrong network. Disable this option so you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks you know and trust.

By following these cybersecurity best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats while traveling so you can enjoy your time off.

However, true peace of mind comes from knowing your business is protected by robust, professional cybersecurity measures. It’s important to work with a professional IT team that can monitor your network 24/7, patch any vulnerabilities that pop up (which happens regularly) and alert you if something seems suspicious.

Click here to schedule a Security Risk Assessment with our IT experts to evaluate your current cybersecurity posture, identify potential vulnerabilities, and implement a strategic security plan tailored to your company’s needs.

Remember, a proactive approach to cybersecurity is the best way to ensure that your vacation remains relaxing and your business remains secure, even when you’re miles away from the office.

Recent Updates

“I DIDN’T KNOW”

Unfortunately, That Excuse Doesn’t Replenish Your Bank Account, Resolve A Data Breach Or Erase Any Fines And Lawsuits.

Sign Up for Our FREE “Cyber Security Tip of the Week” And Always Stay One Step Ahead of Hackers and Cyber-Attacks!

Start Fighting Cyber Crime with KNOWLEDGE & ACTION! Sign Up to Receive Our FREE “Cyber Security Tip of the Week”