Internet Safety Tips For Travelling

As a long-term traveller in Australia, I know how important it is to stay safe online. We are constantly exposed to recent online scandals involving data breaches and potential identity theft. So, protecting our privacy online when travelling should be our number one priority.

When we travel, we need to access the internet for important things like checking travel arrangements, flight details, and hotel bookings, or simply writing emails and using social media. In this article, I share tips for securing an internet connection when travelling.

Things to know about using the internet safely

While it’s pretty easy to get free internet access when travelling, there are also risks to consider when using unsecured Wi-Fi. Most public Wi-Fi networks are unsecured, so the risk of your devices being infected with viruses or malware increases dramatically.

That’s why we must be aware of the many threats that lurk online and take the utmost care when using a public connection to access the internet on the go. While there are ways to protect your phone and laptop and stay safe on the internet, the worst scenario is when you need to use a public computer at airports, in internet cafès or hotel lounges. Over many years of travel, I have been experimenting with different things and the basic rules for using the internet safely and protecting my most important personal information.

When browsing the Internet on a public Wi-Fi connection for shopping, banking, or checking your mail, keep your login data, such as passwords and credit card details, secure throughout the session. But how do you protect yourself wisely from identity theft?

Internet Safety Rules and Tips

These simple steps will help you protect your personal information when using the internet while travelling.

Get a VPN

What is a VPN? A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that lets you create a private intermediate connection with others on the internet—a peer-to-peer interface. This is by far the most popular way to protect your data. It is a paid option, and a good VPN service is not cheap. A yearly subscription ranges between 100 and 190 dollars.

Use Credit Cards with OPT

It’s highly advisable to use cards with OPT. Most credit and debit cards come with one-time password functionality and 3D card security. You must enter a unique code (numbers) to confirm your transaction whenever you make an online purchase. This is delivered to your phone or to a personal device, such as a token. Be careful, as some sellers may only accept online payments via credit or debit cards that support one-time passwords. Setting up an OPT for all your cards is a good idea if you haven’t yet.

Set up a two-step Verification

For all your most important accounts and those that you use regularly. Next to banking and Mail accounts, you may include Social Media Accounts, your Apple ID, and Google. Apple has recently introduced automated double authentication, which may sound awkward but aims to increase your online safety.

Get browser protection

Browser protection functions like a VPN, allowing you to access the internet through a cloud-based browser. It protects you from unsecured Wi-Fi networks, such as those in hotels, airports, and internet cafes, when accessing the internet. Moreover, it allows you to access Facebook and Google in countries like China and other Asian countries where they are banned. Cocoon browser protection is a free download, and you can use it on your desktop and laptop. The free version is best suited for travelling, but you can upgrade to paid plans if you need more functionality.

Safety Tips For Browsing Online

Avoid using public computers in internet cafes.
When you access your private accounts, such as home banking, email, or shopping online, use incognito mode to clear the browser cache, history, and cookies. Also, avoid storing your personal information on the computer each time you start a new internet session. Another way to protect your data and privacy is downloading an internet protection browser like Cocoon. These steps will allow you to browse with peace of mind and keep all your personal information private and secure without leaving any tracks on the computer.

Create strong passwords for all your online accounts.
Make sure you don’t store your passwords on your mobile and laptop. Instead, keep them on a USB key or, if you can, don’t store them at all. Instead, try to create strong passwords that are easy to remember.

Deactivate all active file-sharing options on your devices, like AirDrop and Bluetooth.
These automatically enable the public sharing of files or images stored on your mobile device and computer. If a hacker uses files to inject malware into your computer, that would be a getaway.

Conclusion about online safety

Unfortunately, caution when browsing the internet is never enough. We should always follow best practices and stay up to date on the best ways to protect our privacy online. So, to wrap it up:

1. Be aware of your environment when accessing the internet through a public, unsecured wi-fi network. Prefer your own devices to public computers. Use a VPN for anonymous browsing.
2. Use leading-edge protection when shopping or using sensitive data by creating strong passwords and two-step verification.
3. Use credit cards with 3D Secure whenever possible to make purchases online safely and securely.
   

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Photo Credits:
Image no. 1. Online Security Protection and Internet Safety
Image no. 2. Wireless Internet Networking
Image no. 3. Internet Banking Online Payment