Have you ever considered your holiday web security? Do you use the internet on holiday? If you’ve been abroad recently, it’s almost certain you have done it in the past. Messaging, calls, maps, social media, finding a restaurant – mobile internet has improved how we holiday. It isn’t without risks though. Keep reading for some tips on holiday web security.
Ways to Ensure Good Holiday Web Security
Almost 1 in 4 Holidaymakers are being hacked, when abroad. That’s a scary figure. isn’t it. The risk of being hacked while abroad is higher than ever, now we all rely on our smartphones so much. Did you know, 25% of travellers using public Wi-Fi have been hacked, according to 2022 research.
Keeping safe while online is something we should all be doing – at home and on holiday. But how is it done? What are the risks? And how can you keep safe? Read on for answers to all these questions and more holiday web security tips.
How do Hackers Hack Holidaymakers?
The main way that cybercriminals are able to hack people enjoying their holidays is via public networks. These Wi-Fi networks can be accessed by anyone. But because anyone can access them, anyone can hack into them.
By easily hacking into the Wi-Fi router, hackers can intercept the data sent between your device and the network. Reading your data, they can see things like usernames, passwords, bank information, and personal details.
There is also the risk of a hacker watching you enter your pin number, and unlocking your phone to gain access. For this reason, it’s best to use face ID or fingerprint unlock options wherever possible. This makes your phone less tempting to thieves as well.
What are the Risks?
There are countless risks from being hacked. Not only can your personal data be collected and sold, but worst case, your entire identity can be stolen. Your bank accounts could be hacked and your money taken in less than a few minutes. Alternatively, your images could be used to construct fake profiles to con other internet users.
If you use technologies like port forwarding to improve your internet connection speeds, you can also be at risk. That’s because port forwarding removes security layers to improve speeds (understand how port-forwarding works). As such, if you use your phone abroad to check smart cameras in your home and port forwarding is enabled, a hacker could access your home network too.
How to stay safe online when abroad
Thankfully, whether you’re off on a family holiday to Ibiza, or a business trip to New York, there are some simple steps everyone can take to stay safe when browsing online. Follow these holiday web security tips and your risk will be reduced massively…
- Ensure your mobile phone is locked, and if possible, that face ID or fingerprint ID are activated. This stops people from being able to see your pin number and gain access to your phone itself.
- It’s important to have unique passwords for all your apps and profiles. This means if one is hacked, they won’t automatically gain access to everything else.
- Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible. By doing this, you ensure there’s an extra layer of security wherever possible.
- Use a mobile VPN that adds an extra layer of security to your data, protecting it from hackers.
Being hacked on holiday is something we all want to avoid, but armed with the knowledge above, you should be safe. How do you stay safe when surfing the net on holiday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
