People now travel with a variety of devices, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets–whether for business or leisure–to stay connected in this digital age. While these gadgets offer numerous benefits, such as continuous communication, easy access to social media, and quick research capabilities, they also pose significant risks, as they can serve as entry points for cybercriminals looking to gain access to networks.
Given this reality, practicing effective cyber hygiene is essential when traveling to protect data from potential breaches and cyberattacks while on the move, especially with more Filipinos planning to travel this year.
According to Klook’s Travel Pulse for 2024, nine out of ten Filipinos intend to travel within the country while three out of four plan to go abroad. This makes it crucial to equip Filipino travelers with knowledge of cyber safety to ensure a secure travel experience.
To safeguard devices and sensitive information while traveling, Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, shares some best practices for cyber hygiene.
Consistently update software and avoid installing unknown apps. It is essential to prioritize patching systems before traveling. This can be achieved by updating apps on devices, such as through the App Store or Google Play Store on smartphones. Updating apps resolves bugs or vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit to gain access to devices, as threat actors can easily scan systems to identify those unpatched.
Additionally, it is important to avoid installing unverified or random applications on gadgets while traveling. Such applications may contain malicious software that cybercriminals use to compromise devices.
Take care of devices and use strong passwords. Refrain from sharing devices with other people wanting to check websites or emails, even for a short time, as they could accidentally download malicious files. Similarly, avoid inserting random USB sticks into personal devices because these can store malicious attachments that could run automatically when connected.
Other than that, ensure personal devices are locked when unattended. It is vital to use complex yet easy-to-remember passwords to make it challenging for others to access personal devices.
Refrain from connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. Given the accessibility of public Wi-Fi, it is difficult to monitor activities, identify users, or determine their actions within these networks. If a network lacks security, others can easily scan connected systems and find vulnerabilities. When using public Wi-Fi is inevitable, avoid conducting sensitive activities like online payments or accessing bank accounts to reduce cybersecurity risks.
For secure internet access, consider purchasing a SIM card from the destination country to create a personal hotspot for devices. Frequent travelers may also opt for personal mobile Wi-Fi routers to ensure a more secure network while on the move.
Stay vigilant when using social media. When accessing various platforms, users are often required to create accounts using their social media credentials, which grant platform administrators access to sensitive information. To safeguard data, it is best to create a throwaway account for these purposes.
It is also crucial to exercise caution on instant messaging services, especially due to the prevalence of scams. Cybercriminals employ social engineering tactics to deceive unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive information, providing threat actors access to accounts or devices.
Given the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics and the frequency of attacks, following these cyber hygiene best practices can significantly minimize the risk of Filipino travelers becoming victims, allowing them to enjoy local and international trips without worrying about digital security.
