How to stay safe from cybercrime while travelling

The world is open to travel again…and we’re loving it …but think twice before posting that selfie with your passport and boarding pass in all the excitement. Cybercrime is real and it’s everywhere. Take note of these tips from GoldPhish to make sure you don’t become a victim of cybercrime while you are ticking off your next bucket list holiday destination.

Booking: What to look out for and how to know if it’s a scam:

1. Avoid acting on travel discounts received via unsolicited emails.
2. Double-check that you are on a legitimate website before handing over money. 
3. Beware of spelling, formatting, and other basic mistakes that could indicate a website is not legitimate business. 
4. A site’s security level can be legitimised by looking for an ‘https’, but this is not always the case.
5. Opt for credit card payments when booking online as they offer a layer of protection that debit cards and bank transfers do not.
6. If a flight or hotel offer seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.

Public hotspots: How to keep your devices safe while using free WiFi. 

1. Open-access Wi-Fi networks are not secure, so limit the use of public hotspots. Make use of your personal hotspot or share your partner or friend’s mobile data, unless you are using a VPN.
2. Turn off location tracking and cut back on social networking check-ins.
3. Minimise the use of data storage devices. When not in use, disconnect the storage device and store it in a safe location and never pick up and use a found storage device. 
4. Always know where your devices are. Keep your device locked with a password or pin lock when not in use, the longer, more complex the password, the better.
5. Shield logins and any confidential content on your devices from prying eyes. Use a laptop privacy screen to discourage shoulder surfing.
6. Avoid video chats and private conversations while in public, especially business conversations.