Traveling Abroad? How To Protect Yourself From Cyber Crime

Tuesday, 2 July 2024, 8:41 am
Article: Hugh Grant

Traveling abroad for work, relaxation, or vacation has its exciting moments but also its challenging ones. You want to ensure you have the perfect trip, from flights to accommodation to places to visit, food, and drink. This typically all happens online now. But do you ever consider cyber threats, and cybersecurity, when you are researching or traveling overseas?

Well, you should do it because cybercrime is just as dangerous as physical crime, particularly when you are away from home, either on holiday or in a new place.

However, despite technological advancements, international travel can expose your data and systems to various risks. If you do not securely handle your own and others' data stored in the cloud – whether it be clients, suppliers, or colleagues, you are at risk of a cyber-attack. According to ExpressVPN, of their 8,000 respondents interviewed across the U.S., UK, Germany, and France, 7% of travelers had experienced cybersecurity incidents when traveling.

Cybercrime can take many forms, and cybercriminals are increasingly becoming more stealthy and sophisticated in their methods.

Safeguarding Data Integrity During Travel

Amid the rising threat landscape and a greater need to guard sensitive information against advanced cyber attacks, it’s crucial to realize that foreign travel offers prime opportunities to target unsuspecting travelers.

It’s common to face attacks while traveling and detecting such intrusions can take a surprising amount of time, let alone contain a malicious actor in a system. From stolen passwords to compromised devices, the repercussions of a cyber attack or breach can be nearly catastrophic and, at worst, severely damage a business that hasn't secured its entire organization.

Cultural differences, language barriers, and unique customs can complicate how travelers safeguard their data and information as they would in their home countries. Whether the trip is brief or part of a larger move abroad, neglecting data and device security isn't an option.

Hence, it's crucial to enhance your cyber awareness and preparedness by recognizing the risks you might encounter overseas and knowing how to keep your data safe and intact.

Ways to Prevent Cybercrime while Traveling

Stay Vigilant Against Unrealistic Bargains

Travelers often seek out flight deals, hotel stays, or domestic trips. Many trusted travel agents and resellers provide genuine discounts, making it a fantastic way to save. However, it could also be a scam or fake site trying to steal your money. If you see a great offer from an unknown website or company, make sure you do your research. Ensure you aren't giving your hard-earned money to a scammer.

One way to feel secure is to check if they are IATA-verified. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) gives codes to genuine agencies through a rigorous accreditation process, and you can browse the list of current members here. When considering a potential deal, you can ask the agency to provide their IATA code before you buy.

The IATA reports that about 90% of all emails sent globally are spam or phishing attempts. With the increase of fake travel sites and deals, booking through verified agencies is a safe approach. While traveling, keeping an eye on sites like TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet helps you stay aware of local scams and other dangers in your area.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi networks and Computers

Absolutely steer clear of public Wi-Fi networks, like those in airports, hotels, and cafes. As online users' connection is not capped or encrypted, cybercriminals are attracted to these types of networks. This means that anyone can access the Wi-Fi point and see your data.

Browser activities, financial information, and transactions can all be intercepted and stolen by malicious actors.

Rather than using public WiFi, opt for your mobile network or a personal hotspot. Hackers often create seemingly harmless hotspots with deceptive names, and connecting to these networks can result in your data being easily stolen. They may also use various tools to remotely infect your device with malware.

Always avoid public computers. Since you can't be sure of what might be installed on them, it's safest to steer clear.

Exercise Caution When Sharing on Social Media

Social media account hacks make up about a third of all cybercrime incidents reported by travelers, and the reason is clear. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X enable sharing experiences with friends, family, and strangers as they happen, which is a key aspect of 21st-century travel.

With social media activity on public accounts providing real-time location data, victims of account hacking have reported receiving phishing messages that tricked them into revealing personal information. Sharing in real-time can be like putting a target on yourself for scams or other cybercrimes. For U.S. travelers, 18% know someone who faced privacy or security issues due to oversharing on social media while traveling.

Activate Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, adds an extra layer to your security that goes beyond just having a username and password.

Different MFA methods include sending a One-Time Password (OTP) to your email, push notifications, text messages, phone verification, and biometric or facial recognition prompts.

Activate MFA on any device or software that supports it. This ensures that even if your password is breached, unauthorized access is blocked. MFA also serves as an early warning system if your password is exposed. If you get an MFA notification without logging in, it indicates your credentials have been compromised. Never respond to unsolicited MFA notifications, and never share MFA codes, no matter how convincing someone sounds.

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