Travel season is here. Whether you’re enjoying some well earned down time with your family or hitting the conference circuit for work, secure travel should be a top priority. On your home network, you are likely more comfortable and secure in your data use. But when using unfamiliar networks and hotspots, you inevitably make yourself more vulnerable. Here are the most important preventative measures you can take to maintain your data security while traveling for work or pleasure.
Avoid Using Unfamiliar Hotspots
While it is certainly tempting to use public hotspots when traveling, do everything you can to avoid doing sensitive business online when connected to one. Banking and shopping while on an unfamiliar and unsecured internet connection can result in stolen credit card information, account information, or other losses of data security. Public wifi hotspots are notoriously vulnerable to hackers and may even be created with the purpose of giving hackers easy access to unsuspecting users’ computers. So before connecting to a public hotspot such as those available on airplanes, at airports, hotels, or in a café, make sure that the name of the network and login procedures are in line with what you expect from the location. This is to confirm that the network is legitimate. For example, if you connect to a network that does not require a password but the café requires customers to make a purchase prior to using the wifi, chances are that the network is not safe.
Update All Anti-Virus Software Before You Leave Home
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself on the road is making sure your anti-virus software and security updates are current. This will help ensure that your devices are free from pre-existing malware or viruses prior to leaving town. Additionally, consider clearing your web history and cookies before leaving town. Cookies and browsing history are easily accessed when on a public wifi network and can provide hackers with information that could be used in fraudulent transactions.
Be Careful When Browsing
When traveling and using unfamiliar or unsecured internet connections, try to any potentially sensitive online activities, including online shopping, banking, or confidential work. If you must do one of the above actions, only use secure sites that begin with https://. Interestingly enough, it’s well worth considering using your mobile network connection rather than a public wireless network to do any necessary shopping or banking online. Mobile networks are still generally considered to be more secure than public networks.
Back Up Your Files
Equally important to your data security is taking the time to back up your files from the devices you will be taking with you when traveling. Any loss of data while on the road may be temporarily inconvenient, but at least you know you will have access again as soon as you are back in the office. Damage to devices is far more likely to occur when traveling as well, so make sure you save the important information from your hardware in a safe place, just in case.
Happy Faces Records Management offers a wide range of data protection services, including digital archiving. Before you’re next big business trip, make sure you give the team a call to ensure your data security while on the road.
