Whether it’s for a business conference or sales call, traveling can often make it easy to forget cybersecurity best practices. In the age of connectivity, however, it’s important to exercise the right precautions when using your devices and working while on the road. Below are a few cybersecurity tips to secure your data while you’re traveling.
Update your security software
Before traveling, update your security software on both your laptop and mobile devices. Regular updates ensure you have the latest security patches installed, protecting your files against the latest cyberthreats. If doing this task manually seems tedious, you can also enable automatic updates on your devices so you never miss the latest protections.
Additionally, take the time to configure your privacy and security settings. These will allow you to dictate how your data is shared and accessed. Disable unnecessary features such as geo-tracking and camera functionalities so you can prevent hackers from spying on you. Moreover, limit app permissions so that only essential functions (e.g., data access, microphone, etc.) are enabled.
Be cautious of wireless networks
Public Wi-Fi networks, often found in hotels, airports, or cafes, may lack the proper safeguards that private networks possess, making them highly susceptible to cyberattacks. Hackers often monitor these networks to intercept confidential data such as login credentials.
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid these networks altogether. Always verify the networks you’re connecting to and make sure they’re password-protected. If it’s absolutely necessary to connect to a public network or computer, don’t access sensitive accounts or conduct financial transactions on the off chance that cybercriminals are trawling the same networks.
Consider a VPN
If you have no choice but to work on a public Wi-Fi network, use a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs establish a secure and encrypted connection between your device and the internet by routing your online traffic through a private server, hiding your data from eavesdroppers.
Additionally, VPNs provide access to geo-restricted content. You’ll have the option of connecting to a server from a location of your choice, granting you access to websites, streaming services, or social media platforms that may otherwise be blocked in the region you’re visiting.
Install the right security tools on your devices
Having the right security systems installed on your devices can give you peace of mind. You should also practice simple measures such as password-locking your phone or laptop as well as enabling multifactor authentication (MFA). Encryption is another effective security feature on most devices, as it encodes your files to make them unreadable to unauthorized users.
If multiple employees are going on a business trip,you should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions. This allows for centralized control over device security settings and enables administrators to distribute software updates to all devices, ensuring security measures are consistent across the organization.
Back up your files
Finally, performing a comprehensive backup of your files before traveling can save your data in the unfortunate event of theft, loss, or technical failure. Consider using cloud storage services such as OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox, which store your data in secure remote servers. Be sure to also regularly sync your files to these platforms to keep your backups current.
Alternatively, external hard drives offer a physical backup solution, allowing you to store large amounts of data offline. Make it a habit to create backups before your trip and periodically throughout your travels, especially if you create new files or make important changes to data.
For further cybersecurity tips or solutions while on the move, get in touch with our experts at predictiveIT today.
