Whether you’re heading out on vacation or a quick weekend getaway, staying connected is part of modern travel. But being on the go can also increase your cybersecurity risks.
Information Technology Services is sharing tips and a few smart habits that can go a long way in keeping your personal information safe before, during and after your trip.
Before you go, be prepared.
Bring only what you need. Travel with fewer devices whenever possible.
Update your devices and apps. Install the latest updates on your phone, laptop and apps, especially operating system updates.
Use MFA. Enable biometric multifactor authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, on all devices. If your phone or laptop is lost or stolen, this is your first line of defense.
Turn on “Find My Device” features. Activate tracking tools like Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find My Device. These tools let you locate, lock or erase your device remotely if it goes missing.
Back up important data. Back up photos, documents and contacts to the cloud or an external drive before you leave.
During your travel, be cautious.
Be thoughtful about location sharing. Only turn on location services when necessary.
Think before you post. Sharing vacation updates in real time can signal that your home is empty. Consider posting photos after you return.
Keep your devices secure. Keep devices with you whenever possible. If you leave them behind, store them in a secure location such as a hotel safe.
Turn off auto-connect. Disable automatic connections to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks. This prevents your device from connecting to unknown or potentially unsafe networks without your knowledge.
Avoid public Wi-Fi. Consider using a mobile hotspot instead. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN.
After you return, stay vigilant.
Check your accounts. Review your bank, email and social media accounts for unusual activity in the weeks after traveling. Look for unfamiliar logins, charges or password reset emails.
Delete apps you no longer need. If you downloaded apps for your trip, like transit or event apps, consider deleting them. Fewer apps mean fewer places your data is stored.
By staying aware and taking simple precautions, you can protect your personal information wherever your travels take you.
If you are planning to travel internationally for WVU business, be sure to check out these travel tips.