Taking a vacation this summer?

Whether you’re traveling to the beach or the mountains this summer, chances are you plan on staying connected. From booking hotels to sharing photos, travel and our devices go hand in hand. Here are a few tips to protect yourself before, during, and after your trip:

Before You Go

Bring only what you need. Travel with fewer devices. Unless you’re traveling for work, leave computers and tablets at home.

Use a strong MFA. In case your device is stolen, make sure you have multifactor authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition). If your device is stolen, it’s the first line of defense.

Use “Find My Device”. Set this feature up on all devices to easily track or wipe your devices’ data if necessary.

While On Vacation

Be mindful when sharing your location. Only share your location with apps when necessary. Just because an app requests location access doesn’t mean it actually needs it.

Keep your devices secure. Keep your devices with you at all times. If you need to leave them behind, store them in your hotel safe.

Think before you post. Consider not sharing your vacation updates in real time on social media. It can alert criminals that you’re not home. Also, when you do share, limit who can see your posts

Turn off auto-connect. Disabling automatic Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections can prevent your device from connecting to unsafe networks without your knowledge.

Back Home

Check your accounts. For a few weeks after returning home, be sure to monitor your bank, email, and social media accounts for suspicious activity. Unfamiliar logins, password resets, or charges could indicate you’re the target of a cyberattack.

Delete apps no longer needed. Delete apps you may have downloaded for your trip, such as transportation, event, or travel apps. Fewer apps mean fewer places personal information is stored.

When traveling, the main focus should be exploring new destinations and taking a break from everyday life, not worrying about cybercriminals. With a little preparation and awareness while traveling, you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation and stay safe.