Security Tips to Keep Your Data Safe

 

Security Tips to Keep Your Data Safe

 

During travel we seek to disconnect and leave everyday worries behind. That means spending much more time sharing images and posts on social media than thinking about protecting your devices. However, maintaining certain safety guidelines is just as important when traveling, as at work or at home. When you move and you are forced to access r to public networks, you expose yourself to new threats. To travel a little more relaxed, here are some tips to help you keep your data safe when you travel:

·         Update the software. Keeping your device's software and applications up to date - especially antivirus - eliminates possible attack vectors for criminals, by improving the system's ability to detect malware. This can include fixing exploits and security bugs, as well as removing obsolete features. This is a particularly important step today, as a high percentage of smartphones have been shown to be at risk of having their security compromised even by opening a simple malicious text message. Proper patch management is another important step to help keep your devices safe.

·         Use biometric protection to keep your device locked. Getting into the habit of locking your screen can be a very effective defense against theft. New systems such as fingerprint recognition add an additional layer of security. In the past, complex passwords used to be the only secure form of automated authentication, but they have fallen out of favor as some devices lack capacity and are cumbersome for day-to-day use.

·         Disable automatic connection to public wireless networks. When we travel, we often turn to the open WiFi networks available to post on social media or even to check email. However, most public connections are not secure, making them easy targets for hackers. All confidential information you enter while on a public network could be compromised if that connection is compromised, so it is important to disable the setting that automatically connects the device. And most importantly, access only fully trusted wireless networks.

·         Activate remote erase. In the event of loss or theft, this security feature allows you to remotely disable, lock, or wipe data on your mobile device through a factory reset. Remote deletion of your data prevents unauthorized users from accessing confidential information stored on the device, should it be lost or stolen. Some devices can also be configured to perform an automatic factory reset after a certain number of unsuccessful unlock attempts.

·         Turn off location tracking. Having a GPS-capable device is very useful for any traveler, as it helps you navigate unknown places and stay informed about traffic or weather. Still, enabling location functions can also put you at risk: sharing information with geolocation can allow cybercriminals to detect your location in real time or even determine the identity of the device owner. Gadgets - such as smart watches - have become common travel companions for travelers around the world, but as their use increases, the possibility of cybersecurity breaches also grows, so it is crucial to take action necessary.