Traveling Abroad? 4 Tips On Keeping Your Data Safe While On Vacation

4 Tips On Keeping Your Data Safe While On Vacation

The matter of data security has never been as important as in our today’s connected and digitalized world. And while it’s very important to keep your data safe throughout the entire year, some extra measures during your upcoming holiday can be helpful to increase your data security abroad. From public Wi-Fi networks to accessing geo-blocked content and backing up your files, these tips will keep your data safe when traveling abroad.

Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks

They can be immensely convenient – especially when you’re abroad, and you want to avoid high roaming prices for your mobile data – but come with their very own cybersecurity caveats: public Wi-Fi networks. As these networks are open to the public with many users joining, such as at the airport and your hotel, they are very attractive to hackers who try to gain access to the users’ data. Instead of simply connecting to whichever free Wi-Fi network presents itself, act cautiously. Being on vacation is a great chance to unplug anyway, so consider if you actually need to connect to the internet at that exact moment or not. If you do need to connect, make sure to check the network is legitimate, and double-check the name of the network before joining as it could be a fake one with a fake name. One powerful way to keep your data safe from prying eyes on a public network is to use a VPN, which encrypts your traffic by directing your connection through a private tunnel.

Use a VPN to access your favorite content from abroad safely

There are many situations, in which a VPN will come in handy while you’re traveling abroad. Would you like to stream your favorite show or watch your team play, but your usual streaming service from back at home isn’t available at your destination or offers a different region-based library? A VPN can help you access your usual content safely by routing your connection through a server in your home country, while keeping your identity anonymous and traffic encrypted. That way, it’s not only possible to watch your favorite TV shows from the US Netflix catalog or follow your favorite sports team live on national sports streaming services, but you can also access different location-specific services and, for instance, place bets on your favorite team, no matter where you are. Using a VPN, you can access betting sites in Poland regardless of where you are to place your wagers on one of the best-rated websites for players from that region. With that, the content and entertainment offers you usually access are also available during your travels abroad.

Keep your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched off

It’s one step to avoid joining public Wi-Fi networks, and it’s another to keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity on your smartphone switched off when you’re not using them. This doesn’t just save your device’s battery, but it can also prevent unsuspected and unwanted connections. Many devices connect to seemingly familiar Wi-Fi networks they were connected to before automatically, yet these network names can easily be spoofed, causing you to join a network you didn’t want to join. Having Bluetooth activated can also cause unknown remote connections and could have you tracked by advertisers. Keeping Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity switched off by default will greatly increase your data security.

Backup your data before you go

From accidentally jumping into the pool with your phone in your pocket to getting your phone snatched from your bag in a crowded place or simply forgetting it at an impressive sight, losing your device can happen more easily when you are abroad. To make sure you don’t lose all your data when such an unfortunate event happens, you should back up your device before you leave for your trip. Copies of documents, important files, pictures, etc. should be safely stored on backup devices such as hard drives or in cloud storage to avoid data loss should your device break or be lost. It’s recommended to back up your data regularly, especially before your holidays. When opting for backing up your data in the cloud, make sure to pick a secure cloud storage service that will keep your data safe from any online threats.

Relax and unwind, unplug and disconnect. A holiday can be the perfect place to go offline and digitally detox, but whenever you do want to connect to the internet, use these tips to keep your data safe at all times.