This post is dedicated to my family, relatives and friends to help them protect their identity from theft while traveling.
If you are planing to travel somewhere and you are packing your stuff, it is very important to read those small tips that can help preventing your passwords, bank accounts and your digital identity from being exposed.
1. Leave Important documents at home or hotel
Before you set off, only take with you the necessary personal and identification documents. For example, why would you take your driving license with you if you are not going to use it while traveling.
Those docuemtns are easy stolen or forgotten from your wallet.
Once you arrive to your destination, carry a copy of your passport instead of the original one. This will enable you to move around without important things to worry about if they got lost.
2. Avoid public Wi-Fi at airport or public places
Never connect to insecure Wi-Fi network on your laptop or mobile device. Doing that will enable others to capture your internet history tracking data and access your email and social networking accounts. Stay on your 3G or 4G connection instead whenever possible.
Only connect to airport Wi-Fi or public Wi-Fi if you want to do normal internet browsing without using your passwords.
3. Keep your mobile device locked
Password protect your phone in case it is lost or stolen. This can prevent or at least delay others from accessing your email or sensitive data.
4. Do not store devices in checked baggage
While it may be tempting to store a heavy laptop in your checked luggage, it’s safer to keep your devices with you in your carry-on baggage. Keeping your devices close to you while traveling helps keep snoops away.
5. Avoid posting on social media during traveling
This can be extreme thing to do, but not doing so, may alert others to your absence and give a prime opportunity to snatch your unchecked mail or worse, break into your unprotected house.
6. Update everything before traveling
It is very important to update all your devices (mobile and laptop) and make sure they are up to date with the latest software updates prior to going to a trip. Updating them while traveling (on hotel or public Wi-Fi) can increase your chances of downloading malware.
7. Use the hotel security box
Carry as little personal information with you as possible to protect against pickpockets and muggers, and safely store the rest of your documents in the hotel safe.
8. Check your bank account activity intermittently
Make sure there’s no fraudulent activity occurring during your trip – and after. Keep an eye on your bank account for several weeks after returning from a trip; identity thieves are patient and will likely use your information after you return home.
9. Change your passwords when you return
It is a good practice to change all your passwords if possible when you are back home. You normally log on to social networks or check your email while traveling, and your passwords may be exposed. Changing them after you get back is a very good thing to do.
Finally, go out there, have fun and I wish you a safe trip.
