One of the marvels of the modern age is that we’re able to board a jet airliner and travel, in a matter of hours, to distant parts of the planet. Another, arguably even more impressive development, is that we’re able to communicate with anyone on the planet in an instant, even when we’re on the move.
If you’re taking your smartphone on your travels, however, then there are a number of security risks worth bearing in mind. Let’s take a look at a few of the more significant ones, and assess how you might reduce your exposure.
The Hidden Dangers of Public Wi-Fi
If there’s a Wi-Fi network available in a public place, like a bar, cafe, or hotel lobby, then you might be tempted to make use of it. But this could present an opportunity to unscrupulous hackers, who might intercept the data you’re sending.
They might do this by compromising the router in the building. This can be done from anywhere in the world, provided that the router is vulnerable. Another approach (the so-called ‘evil twin’ method) might be to create a malicious network with a benign-sounding name, like ‘Cafe Wi-Fi’. Send data through this network, and it will be intercepted and exploited.
Overcoming Geo-Restrictions While Travelling
Another problem involves the way that the internet is filtered and censored, depending on where you are in the world. A good example of this comes from the listings of your favorite streaming service. A show that you enjoy watching in the United States might not be available in the UK, because another provider has bought the territory-specific rights to it. This can be bad news if you intend to binge your way through a specific series while you’re traveling through Europe.
Protecting Your Privacy on the Go
There’s an obvious and effective way to solve both of these problems: the Virtual Private Network, or VPN. A VPN will allow you to funnel all of your incoming and outgoing data through an encrypted server. This means that no one can access the data you’re sending. But it also means that, since the server can be located anywhere in the world, you’ll be able to access your favourite shows as if you live in that country. A VPN Chrome extension offers a convenient way of enjoying this benefit.
A Checklist for Digital-Safe Travel
Digital security is often a matter of developing the right habits. Before embarking on a long trip, you might go through a checklist of digital security precautions (which can form part of your general travel checklist). You might ask yourself whether you’ve installed your VPN, pre-downloaded essential content, and whether you’ve enabled encryption and other data-protection features on the devices you’re taking.
