8 Steps to Securing Your Data on Vacation

Key Takeaways:

• Tech Tune-Up: How to secure your tech before you leave for vacation by updating everything, enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and limiting the devices you bring along.
• Digital Bubble Wrap: Remembering to back up data, review device settings, and enable tracking for your devices.
• Power & Connectivity: Pack your own power and get a VPN!
• Device Safety:  Investing in durable physical device protection, keeping your devices secure, rental car tips, and streaming safely. ‍
• Data Defense:  The importance of using strong passwords, public Wi-Fi do's and don'ts, and avoid accessing sensitive data.
• Smart Travel Habits: SIM Card considerations, navigating GPS safely, shielding your device activity, and unplugging.‍
• Sharing Information: Postpone sharing your adventures while on vacation, remember to share your tracking info with a trusted friend or family member, and keep your OOO short and sweet.
• ‍The Security Sweep: Don't forget to refresh your passwords when you return home, review your account activity, and remove any unused apps your downloaded while you were away.

Hitting the road for vacation is exciting, but don't let your guard down on cybersecurity. Your digital devices hold a lot of personal info and protecting it while you are away will be the key to a worry-free trip. If you follow these 8 steps, you will protect your digital world while you're enjoying your time off.

Before You Go

Take some time to secure your tech.

Step 1 Tech Tune-Up

• Update Everything: Make sure all your devices and apps have the latest software updates. These updates often include crucial security patches that protect against new threats. ‍
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This is your strongest defense. Turn on MFA for all your important accounts like email, banking, and social media. Even if someone gets your password, they will need a second verification step to log in. ‍
• Limit Your Devices: Do you really need to bring every gadget? The fewer devices you travel with, the fewer opportunities there are for something to get lost, stolen, or compromised.

Step 2 Digital Bubble Wrap

• Back Up Your Data: This is non-negotiable. Before you leave, back up all your photos, documents, and important files to a secure cloud service or an external hard drive. If your device is lost or damaged, your memories will still be safe. ‍
• Review Settings: Take a quick look at your social media and app privacy settings. Disable Auto-Connect features for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This prevents your devices from automatically linking to unknown or potentially malicious networks. ‍
• Enable Device Tracking: Make sure find my device features are enabled on your phone and other devices. If anything happens this can help you lock your device and protect your data.

Step 3 Power & Connectivity

• Pack Your Own Power: Always bring your own charging cables and a portable power bank. Avoid using public USB charging stations, as they can sometimes be compromised. ‍
• Get a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will protect you on public Wi-Fi. This way you can surf the web safely when you are out and about.

While You're There

Once you're on vacation, good habits are your best defense.

Step 4 Keep Your Devices Safe

• Physical Protection: Invest in a durable case for your devices. Accidents happen, and a good case can protect your devices from physical damage. ‍
• Secure Your Devices: Beyond a good case, always keep your devices secure. Never leave them unattended in public. Use your hotel room safe for laptops, tablets, and passports. ‍
• Rental Car Return: When you return a rental car, always disconnect your phone from the infotainment system and delete any synced data like call logs or navigation history. ‍
• Stream Safely: If you log into Netflix or other streaming services on a hotel TV, always log out before you check out. The next guest shouldn't have access to your accounts.

Step 5 Data Defense

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: This rule never changes. Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, especially when accessing them from unfamiliar networks. A password manager can help you keep track. ‍
• Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: If you must use public Wi-Fi, always use a VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, creating a secure tunnel that protects your data from prying eyes.  ‍‍
• ‍Don't Access Sensitive Data: Try to avoid accessing highly sensitive data like banking or work files, especially on public Wi-Fi. If you must, always use a VPN and be mindful of your surroundings. Shoulder surfing is more common than you think.

Step 6 Smart Travel Habits

• Consider a Travel SIM Card: Using a local travel SIM card can be more secure than relying on public Wi-Fi and often more affordable than international roaming. ‍
• Download Offline Maps: Before you go, download offline maps of your destination. This saves data and ensures you can navigate even if you lose internet access, preventing you from scrambling for an unsecured public Wi-Fi connection. ‍
• Get a Privacy Screen: Curious eyes lurk everywhere. You never know who might be shoulder surfing behind you. Privacy screens for your laptop and phone will help shield your device activity. ‍
• Plan to Not Work: Unless you’re headed to a work conference, plan to fully unplug from your work while traveling. When you resist the urge to check your work email or accounts, you secure and reduce pathways into your business.

Step 7 Information Sharing

• Limit Public Posting: It's fun to share your adventures but avoid posting your exact location in real-time on social media. It can alert potential thieves that you're away from home. Consider sharing photos after you return. ‍
• Share Your Info: Tell a trusted friend or family member your itinerary and provide them with your device tracking information. In an emergency, they can help locate you or your devices. ‍
• Keep Your Out-of-Office Brief: Keep your OOO alert to need to know information. Avoid travel dates if possible. You can limit the automatic reply to contacts in your address book or organization only. Providing a point-of-contact in your absence can expose the chain of command in your business.

When You Return Home

Your vacation might be over, but your cybersecurity efforts shouldn't be.

Step 8 Final Security Sweep

• Post-Vacation Password Refresh: As soon as you're back home and on your secure network, take a moment to change the passwords for any accounts you accessed frequently during your trip. ‍
• Review Account Activity: Check your bank statements, credit card statements, and online accounts for any suspicious activity or unrecognized charges. ‍
• Remove Unused Apps: If you downloaded any specific apps for your trip, uninstall them if you no longer need them. This reduces potential vulnerabilities.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest, knowing your digital life is well-protected. What's the first thing you'll back up before your next adventure?

If you need help with cybersecurity, set up a meeting with an IT Expert at Net Friends. We can answer your questions.

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