How to Protect Yourself Against Hacking While Traveling

Having your personal information hacked is never a good thing, but it's a lot worse when you are away from home. Sadly, travelers are often uniquely vulnerable to hacking attempts. Fortunately, being aware of the risks of hacking while on the road can help you take precautions that can keep your data safe.

Ways you can be Hacked

Unscrupulous individuals can find several ways to steal critical information from you and, in some cases, compromise your personal electronics in a way that allows continued theft and exploitation to take place. Here are some ways that this can happen:

• Confidential information and content (such as photographs or videos) on your device or that is being shared over your connection might be exposed to a hacker. This information could be used to steal your identity, harass you and your family, lead to public embarrassment or result in confidential business matters being leaked to competitors.
• Hackers may gain access to your login credentials for websites and social media networks. This could lead to fraudulent purchases being made in your name and through your accounts, and could also allow a hacker to hijack your social media accounts.
• A hacker may install malware on your device that allows for ongoing snooping and redirection of your online activities.

How Does Hacking Take Place?

There are several ways that a hacker might be able to gain access to your connectivity, accounts and devices:

• WiFi network breach: Some hackers use various devices to breach Wi-Fi networks and steal data while you are online. This is particularly common when individuals use insecure public Wi-Fi services.
  
• Malicious hotspots: Hackers may set up a malicious hotspot with a name very similar to that of a local hotel, restaurant, or attraction. When you connect to it, the hackers are able to steal your data.
• Social engineering or manipulation: Scammers may contact you and claim that there is a problem with your device or software. They will do this under the guise of working for your computer company or operating system manufacturer. They will ask you to follow certain instructions that gives them access to your operating system. From there, they hijack your device, lock down your files, and then demand that you pay them to regain access.
• Accessing your device directly: it is possible for people to physically access a device to install malware or two steel files. One way of doing this is to simply insert a thumb drive into your machine and download files. Another would be to create a malicious "charging station" in a public place that uses a USB connection to steal information while charging your phone.
• Stealing financial information: Some restaurants and other businesses have poorly managed point-of-service systems that can potentially steal credit and debit card information. This information can be used to drain your accounts.

Why Travel Increases Hacking Risks

Cybercrime is on the rise and anyone can be a victim. Those who travel for any reason, including business, pleasure, or family responsibilities, might be vulnerable because of the following:

1. Use of Public WiFi: When you are at home, you likely use your own, secure network at home or at work for online activities. If you are away from home, it is likely that you are relying on other Wi-Fi networks, many of which may not be secure. This is particularly true during travel to and from your destination, where you might be moving between airports, shuttle stations, restaurants, hotel lobbies, and other amenities, each with its own Wi-Fi network.

2. Distractions: Travel can be distracting. This is partially due to the process of packing, making your way through airport security and managing other last-minute arrangements. It is also true that if we are traveling for pleasure, we get into a vacation mindset that encourages us to forget about the hassles of day-to-day life and focus on having a good time. Unfortunately, these distractions can cause you to let your guard down, overlook standard security protocols, or fail to see potential red flags, such as emails or texts notifying you of purchases.

3. Travelers are targets: Criminals often target travelers specifically, because of the aforementioned vulnerabilities. In addition to hackers and identity thieves, there are people, such as hotel staff, who might be able to gain access to devices left in your room.

4. Holiday travel: Many people travel on or around holidays, where there are even more distractions and, in some cases, fewer customer service representatives to take your call regarding possible suspicious activities.

5. Unfamiliar apps: Tempted to install an unfamiliar app that claims to offer local guidance? Be wary: It may contain malware.

6. Insecure point-of-service: Not all businesses maintain secure point-of-service networks. If you are handing over your credit or debit card and entering your PIN, hackers may have enough information to drain your accounts.

7. Low-security hospitality networks: Some hotels offer free in-room Wi-Fi. The trouble is that these networks may not be entirely secure, allowing hackers to take advantage of the situation and steal your information.

Steps You Can Take

Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to help prevent being hacked while you travel:

Before Your Trip

Before departure, take the following steps to protect yourself:

• Back up your data. The best protection against data loss is to have your devices backed up.
• Set up a VPN on your devices. VPN creates a private network that keeps your communications in a separate channel from local Wi-Fi networks.
• Add two-factor authorization to accounts. This step can stop a hacker from using your login information to get into apps and accounts.
• Consider a security suite: Security suites are a one-stop shop that may include encryption, password controls, and website authentication.
• Contact your banks and credit card companies and let them know that you will be traveling. This helps them to fine-tune their security protocols that can protect your accounts.
• Type and print out a hard copy list of contact information and phone numbers for your banks, credit card companies, travel insurance companies and other important services. If your phone is hacked or stolen during your trip, having the numbers available will make it easier to contact their customer service departments.
• Activate password protection on all your devices. You can always deactivate after you get home.
• Purchase a laptop lock or locking case for safer storage in your hotel room.

During Your Trip

Investing a few minutes each day to ensure that your accounts and devices are secure can save you the time it takes to unravel damage done by a hacker:

• Check your accounts, including financial accounts and social media, daily. Doing so can alert you to suspicious activity.
• Set activity alerts on your accounts and make sure that you check your phone, texts, or email throughout the day to monitor these alerts.
• Be careful about how you use your credit or debit cards while traveling. Consider carrying a small amount of cash for everyday purchases so you can prevent too many people or businesses from accessing your cards.
  

After Your Trip

It's a good idea to remain vigilant even after you have returned from your trip:

• Continue to run security scans on your devices.
• Continue checking your accounts for unauthorized transactions. Review monthly bank and credit card statements as well: If you were hacked, unauthorized transactions may show up weeks or even months after your trip.

What to do if You are Hacked While Traveling

If you discover that you have been hacked while traveling, here are some steps that you can take:

• Use mobile apps to freeze your banking cards and accounts. Do the same to report hacking of email or social media accounts.
• Follow up with banks and credit card companies for instructions and replacement cards.
• Change passwords and set up two-factor authorization on all accounts.
• Check the "sent," "draft," and "trash" folders on your email account. If the hacker used your email account to send messages, these folders can give you an idea of what was sent in your name.
  
• Contact friends and family to let them know what has happened and how to get in touch if they receive what appears to be strange messages from you.
  
• Run virus and malware scans on your devices.

Final Word

It is isn't possible to completely prevent being hacked, but there are several things you can do to prevent it. Prevention before and during travel is even more critical, as you may have fewer resources for dealing with the problem if you are away from home.