The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and often travel. Whether you’re visiting family or taking a vacation, cybersecurity threats don’t take a break. Cybercriminals often increase their attacks, targeting travelers and online shoppers. At Aspis Consulting, we believe staying safe online is just as important as staying safe on the road. Here are some simple tips for holiday travel to help protect your digital life while you enjoy the holidays.
1. Secure Your Devices Before You Go
Before you leave, make sure your devices are secure:
- Update your software: Make sure your operating system, apps, and antivirus are up to date. Updates fix vulnerabilities hackers could exploit.
- Back up your data: Save important files to a secure cloud or external drive in case your device is lost or stolen.
- Use strong passwords: Protect your accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible.
2. Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and cafes is convenient, but it’s often insecure. Stay protected with these tips for holiday travel:
- Use a VPN: A virtual private network secures your connection and helps protect your data.
- Avoid sensitive accounts: Don’t log into banking or other private sites on public Wi-Fi.
- Turn off auto-connect: Disable automatic connections to nearby Wi-Fi networks.
3. Beware of Phishing Scams
Cybercriminals often target busy travelers during the holiday season. Stay alert with these tips for holiday travel:
- Check who sent it: Be cautious of emails, texts, or calls from airlines, hotels, or stores. Verify the sender before clicking links or sharing personal information.
- Avoid fake deals: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to trusted websites for booking travel or shopping.
- Use secure websites: Ensure the website URL starts with HTTPS before entering payment details.
4. Protect Your Physical Devices
Cybersecurity isn’t just about online safety—it’s also about securing your devices:
- Lock your devices: Use PINs, passwords, or biometric locks to prevent unauthorized access.
- Keep them close: Never leave your phone, laptop, or tablet unattended in public.
- Set up remote wipe: Enable a remote wipe feature to erase your data if your device is lost or stolen.
5. Monitor Your Accounts
While traveling, keep track of your finances and online accounts:
- Turn on alerts: Set up notifications for credit card and bank transactions to spot unauthorized activity quickly.
- Check your statements: Review your account statements regularly for suspicious transactions.
- Report problems right away: Contact your bank or service provider immediately if something seems wrong.
6. Educate Your Travel Companions
Cybersecurity is a team effort. Moreover, share these tips with family or friends traveling with you. Teach kids how to spot phishing attempts and remind them to keep their devices secure.
7. Prepare for Post-Travel Security
When you get home, follow these simple steps to protect your digital safety:
- Update your passwords: Change the passwords for any accounts you accessed while traveling.
- Check for malware: Run an antivirus scan on your devices to catch any issues.
- Review your accounts: Look for unusual logins or transactions that could indicate a breach.
The holiday season should be a joyful and relaxing. Furthermore, with these tips for holiday travel, you can reduce the risk of cybersecurity threats and focus on making memories with loved ones. If you need help protecting your digital life, Aspis Consulting is here for you. Contact us to learn more about our cybersecurity services.
Who is Aspis Consulting?
Aspis Consulting is a Kansas City-based IT services company that specializes in cybersecurity and management consulting. Additionally, our core vales are integrity, community, and diversity, and our goal is to make cybersecurity accessible to everyone. We also serve businesses of all sizes, including small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and government agencies.
We hold certifications such as HUBZone, LGBT Business Enterprise, and Virginia Values Veterans. In addition, we are Better Business Bureau accredited and recognized as a Small Disadvantaged Business.
To learn more, visit our website at https://aspis.consulting. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for cybersecurity news and updates.