Summer is just around the corner, and people are busy planning their long-awaited vacation days. And what could be better than choosing an exotic location for the spring and early sunny summers?
Just like other colder regions people in Canada have been wanting to go out and enjoy the sunbaths after having much snow throughout the past months. Even if your next destination is not very exotic but we all still try to score a new destination as often as possible. But your appetite for travel can come with its own risks.
It’s essential to understand Online safety tips while traveling. With all the recent hacks and data breaches nowadays, it has become more challenging than ever to protect our personal and sensitive information.
One easy solution to prevent ourselves from any cyber risk is to stay home and never use any technology or tool like the Internet. But we know that’s not a realistic approach. Our lifestyles today demand the use of such tools and technologies and traveling is a part of our lives.
To help you plan the vacation you want with minimal risk, We’ve put together this list of essential travel safety tips for your online security. Read through, see what can happen, take a few simple precautions, and everything should be wonderful.
8 Cyber Safety Tips for Digital Nomads
1. Use a Reliable VPN
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) before going online, mainly if you use a public wifi network at airports, coffee shops, and other public places. A VPN will allow you to have a secure network connection over a public network. Your device accesses a remote server using trusted keys to identify each other. Once the connection has been established, your connection is secure, and whatever is sent over that connection is encrypted. Take a look at the best vpn for Canada for more details on the best available VPNs.
The VPN hides your actual location, connects you to a server in another country, hides your IP address, and replaces it with a temporary country-specific IP address. A VPN then helps you by encrypting your traffic so that your Internet Service Provider(ISP) cannot see what you are doing. With the right VPN, a user will access many sites & services from anywhere in the world and cater to one’s business privacy requirements. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of a VPN has surged massively due to its remote working benefits.
There are many different VPN products available online. However, not all will provide the same protection level, so you must do your homework.
2. Keep your devices updated
It is recommended that you keep all your devices that have the latest software and are updated for security regularly. Also, please turn off any file-sharing or location services when they are not required. Backup your photos, videos, and any other essential items on your device to the cloud or a portable storage device as often as possible.
3. Accessing Public wifi
Just like other places globally streets of Ontario and Alberta offer free Public wifi everywhere, but you must limit your use of public wifi networks unless you have a VPN. These public networks are rarely secure, and hackers can see them as ripe pickings to get your important information. Avoid accessing online banking and leaving your important credit card information during online shopping on public wifi and hotspots.
4. Turn off wifi
Turn off the wifi signal to your phone when not in use. Keeping the wifi always on might make your device a vulnerable target for cyber attacks. The same applies to Bluetooth and mobile hotspots if you are tethering to your laptop or another electronic device.
5. Track your device
Make sure your device has a tracking app on it where possible. If in the event it is stolen, you may be able to see where it is. Another handy tool is a wiping application; if your device falls into the wrong hands, you can remotely wipe all the data.
6. Be Aware while using ATMs
Traveling with cash only is not an option for most people nowadays. Large amounts of cash invite trouble of their own. Even if you keep convenient cash on hand, you purchase some things online like hotel reservations and plane tickets. Many museums and tours offer the possibility of buying tickets in advance. In fact, it’s even recommended to do so to avoid long cue lines. I personally prefer paying by card directly, skipping cash withdrawals at the ATM. But to avail such conveniences, you should make sure that the businesses you pay by card to are trustworthy.
7. Use Strong Passwords
Before using your passwords for any purpose while you are on the move, make sure your passwords are strong and of considerable length with a combination of numbers, letters, and characters, or use a biometric (fingerprint) to protect your devices. This would save a thief from gaining instant access to your information.
8. Watch your cards
If you plan to use your bank card or travel card while traveling, never let it out of your sight and keep an eye on any transactions while traveling and after you get home if any unusual transactions pop up. Other payment options include Apple Pay Canada, Samsung Pay Canada, or Google Pay Canada which rely on randomly generated tokens rather than using your card number.
