Travelling abroad is an exciting experience but can also be a source of anxiety. While you’re away from home, it’s essential to take precautions to protect yourself and your data through effective cyber security measures. Before your journey begins, always ask yourself: how can I protect my phone while travelling?
Cybercrime describes
all crimes directed at computers and similar technologies, including actions like computer intrusions and denial of service attacks. Additionally, cybercrime occurs when computers or other information communications technologies (ICTs) are critical to another offence, such as online fraud. Cyber security, therefore, refers to the array of technologies, measures, and steps intended to protect online networks, tech devices, and sensitive data from cybercrime attacks.
While safeguarding against cyber threats is always essential, some situations warrant extra precautions and preparation to ensure that your devices are safe from cyber criminals. For instance, cyber security is a critical aspect of international travel. Losing your devices or having your data compromised abroad is a significant risk that can cause a massive headache because of the unfamiliar environment and cybercrime regulations.
With the ongoing rise of cybercrime, it’s more important now than ever to know the risks and how to protect yourself. In this guide, we’ll discuss the importance of phone safety abroad and provide detailed information on how to protect yourself to ensure that your trip is safe, seamless, and delightful.
Preparing for your trip
Preparing to travel abroad can be incredibly hectic. While you might feel like you have a million things to do at once as you prepare for your trip, it’s crucial to focus on protecting yourself from cybercrime and knowing how to keep your phone safe when travelling. Below is a breakdown of everything you need to prepare for your trip overseas.
Secure and backup all of your devices
The first step in protecting yourself is to secure and back up all your devices. Make sure to use strong passwords that are difficult to guess and use two-factor authentication when possible. Consider using a high-quality password manager for added security. It’s also important to back up the data on your devices, and this will ensure you don’t lose your important files if something happens to your device.Additionally, take the following steps to adequately
protect your devices:
Update software and antivirus
Make sure to update your software and antivirus programs before leaving for your trip. There are numerous ways taking this precaution can protect you from overseas cyber security threats. While software updates might not seem a big deal, they can protect your devices and prevent your information from being compromised overseas.
Below are some ways that taking this precaution will protect you overseas.
Use a VPN
A
Virtual Private Network (VPN) can keep your data secure while travelling. A VPN is a tool that allows users to establish a protected connection when interacting with public networks. A VPN encrypts your data, making it more difficult for hackers to access your information.
Some of the reasons you should always use a VPN when travelling abroad and/or using a public network include the following:
Backup important data
Make sure to back up any critical or sensitive data you don’t want to lose. Backing up your data is much easier than it might sound. Many options are available to protect your devices and any sensitive information they store. Below are the two best options for backing up your sensitive data before taking your trip abroad.
Staying secure on the go
Your work doesn’t end once you reach your destination. Staying secure when travelling abroad is vital for continuous cyber security efforts. Remain vigilant and take some of the following precautions during your trip to keep your devices secure around the clock.
Keep your devices physically secure
It’s essential to keep your devices physically secure while travelling. Always keep them close to you, and don’t leave them unattended. It’s also a good idea to use a laptop lock or similar device to prevent theft.
Refrain from leaving your devices in hotel room safes when possible. While safes seem like a practical solution, being separated from your devices when navigating an unfamiliar landscape is a massive risk. Additionally,
take the following measures when you’re travelling overseas:
Be wary of public wi-fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are full of security risks. They are a hub for malicious actors looking to access your data. Always use a VPN when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and minimise your time on public networks.
Along with a VPN, take the following precautions when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network abroad:
Avoid suspicious links
Be wary of all links sent to you via email or social media. Even if the sender is someone you know, it’s best to be cautious. Malicious links can contain viruses or other malicious software that can
compromise the security of your device. If you think a link might contain items or information you need, always check to ensure that the link is safe. Numerous services are available where you can copy/paste the link into a search box to test its safety, legitimacy, and reputation.
Use strong passwords
Using strong passwords is one of the most critical steps in protecting yourself online. Make sure to use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols when creating your passwords. It can be difficult for some individuals to determine a unique, complex password. If you find yourself in this situation, consider some of the following measures.
Protecting sensitive information
One of the biggest risks of travelling abroad without proper cyber security measures is having your sensitive information compromised by a malicious actor. Protecting your information can be done in numerous ways, such as the following suggestions.
Use encryption
Encryption is a powerful tool for safeguarding your sensitive data. Encryption scrambles text, such as emails, to ensure that it can only be read by individuals with the secret code or decryption key. Devices such as laptops and mobile phones can be encrypted, which makes it much more difficult for hackers to access your data.
Among the many benefits of encryption are the following:
Be mindful of what you share online
Be careful about what you post online when you’re travelling abroad. Sharing content online while abroad could potentially compromise your sensitive information in some of the following ways.
Limit the use of public charging stations
Public charging stations can be a source of security risks. Avoid these stations if you notice them at an airport or anywhere you are travelling. Using public charging stations leaves you vulnerable to “juice jacking,” which occurs when cybercriminals tamper with public charging stations to install malicious software.
Using compromised public charging stations will infect your phone when plugged into it. The malicious software can
invade your phone, stealing sensitive data and potentially transmitting your personal details, including account numbers, passwords, emails, photos, and usernames.
Dispose of Devices Securely
When disposing of old devices, ensure to securely wipe them of data. This will help to ensure that your personal information is not compromised. Remove your information before disposing of your devices by deleting information, overwriting data, and physically destroying your device provided by specialised services.
Additionally, be mindful of the following when you dispose of your electronic devices.
What to do if your device is lost or stolen
Travelling abroad can be a great experience, but sometimes it can be marred by the loss or theft of a device. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, losing or having a device stolen abroad can be a stressful and nerve-wracking experience. Knowing what steps to take if your device is lost or stolen is vital before you begin your travels.
Report the loss
The first thing to do if your device is lost or stolen is to report the loss or theft to the relevant authorities. If you’ve lost your device, you should contact the local police and report the incident. Local authorities can provide you with a report that can be used for insurance claims and other matters.
If your device has been stolen, you should contact the police immediately and provide them with as much information as possible. This could include the serial number of the device, the make and model, any photos or screenshots of the device, and any other identifying information you may have.
Change your passwords
Once you’ve reported the loss or theft of your device, you should change the passwords for any accounts or services associated with the device. This could include email accounts, social media accounts, online banking, and other vital accounts.
It would be best if you also changed the passwords for any apps or services installed on the device, such as messaging apps, cloud storage services, and online gaming services. If the lost or stolen device was linked to your Apple or Google account, you should go to the relevant website and change your account password. You should also disable any two-factor authentication that was enabled.
Remote wipe your device
After you’ve changed the passwords for any accounts associated with your device, you should attempt to remotely wipe the device. This will delete all the data stored on the device and make it inaccessible to anyone else. If you have an Apple device and lose it abroad, you can use the vital ‘Find My iPhone’ feature to quickly and remotely wipe the device. You can use the Android Device Manager feature to erase the device for Android devices.
Monitor your accounts
Constantly monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity if your device is lost or stolen when travelling abroad. Check your bank statements for unauthorised transactions and keep an eye on your credit report for any unusual activity. If you notice any suspicious activity, you should immediately contact your bank or credit card provider and report the incident. They will provide you with assistance and help you secure your accounts.
Take precautions and follow these tips
Travelling abroad can be an exciting experience, but it’s important to be aware of the potential cyber security risks. It’s important to take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself and your data. Always remember the following tips when you are travelling abroad with your devices:
Cyber security is a vital component of practising phone safety abroad. An essential part of ensuring that your devices are secure is using a provider you can trust. For example, Australians seeking a phone provider and telco business that cares about their safety and data integrity can turn to Circles Life for their new phone provider.With Circles Life, individuals can access a
mobile network with essential education and guidance to protect their smartphones and meet all of their device’s needs. Our team provides the highest level of care to ensure that you love your devices and have constant support from a team of experts. See our
roaming data page to find out more about our international plans.
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For the first 6 months**
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