Have you ever been on a trip and realized that you forgot to pack something important? It’s easy to overlook things during the hustle and bustle of traveling, especially during the holidays. Unfortunately, cybercriminals take advantage of this busyness to target holiday travelers. Their goal is to catch you off guard when or where you least expect it. Don’t let cybercriminals ruin your holiday plans! Follow the tips below for safe travels: 

Secure your devices when they are not in use. 

Never leave your phone, tablet, or computer unattended. Try to take your device with you wherever you go. If you do need to step away, lock your device. Then, ask a trusted friend or family member to keep your device safe while you’re gone. 

Use strong passwords. 

Use strong passwords for all your devices, apps, and services! Don’t forget to include the apps and services that you only use while traveling, such as hotel websites and translation apps. For added security, many apps allow you to use biometric identifiers instead of a password. If your device has a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition, set up this feature before leaving on your trip. 

 Beware of public Wi-Fi networks. 

Always disable the option to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks on your phone, tablet, or computer. Instead, manually choose which network you’d like to join. Only use Wi-Fi networks that you know are safe, and never connect to random hotspots. 

Use a VPN when connecting to your organization’s network. 

If you need to work while traveling, make sure to use a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. VPNs create a private network and encrypt your internet activity to protect your information from cybercriminals. Using a VPN is especially important if you connect to a network in a public place, such as a coffee shop or airport.