Whether you travel for business or simply enjoy exploring new destinations, it’s likely you use your digital devices to help you stay organised and connected while you’re away.
However, while these devices are handy, using them while you’re travelling can expose your personal information to risks that you might not encounter at home. By preparing before you set off, you keep sensitive information out of the wrong hands when you leave the UK.
What you need your devices for and the risks we face
You might be checking emails at an airport or accessing banking services from a hotel. Perhaps you’re using your phone to find your way around a city you’ve never been to before. We naturally reach for our devices when we need to be more informed about the place we’re in.
But there are some key risks to be aware of. Unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks can expose your data. It’s easy to misplace or lose a smartphone or iPad while you’re on the move too. Then there are unfamiliar websites that turn out to be fraudulent and threaten your privacy.
There are ways to protect your digital data while you’re travelling…
Securing your devices before you travel
There are several ways to lock down your devices:
- Install system updates: Applying the latest software patches closes security vulnerabilities that hackers routinely exploit.
- Enable device encryption: Turning on tools such as BitLocker on Windows or FileVault on macOS ensures nobody can read your files if a thief snatches your laptop.
- Activate remote management and audit permissions: Setting up remote location services such as Find My Device allows you to wipe your storage instantly if your device goes missing, while reviewing privacy toggles stops non-essential apps from tracking your location.
Staying safe when using public Wi-Fi networks
Open Wi-Fi connections in airports and cafés expose to major privacy risks because unencrypted traffic can be intercepted by anyone. To protect yourself, use a Virtual Private Network VPN free.
Free services can provide you with essential encryption that protects your data traffic before it leaves your device. This forms a secure tunnel straight to an encrypted server.
Disabling automatic Wi-Fi connections stops your smartphone from joining rogue hotspots that mimic legitimate hotel networks. If you must send confidential documents without a trusted VPN, routing your computer's connection through your mobile phone's built-in hotspot provides far greater security.
Managing passwords and accounts while on the move
Relying on simple, repeated passwords exposes all of your online profiles to compromised credentials during a single data leak. Dedicated password managers store complex, unique credentials inside an encrypted vault, allowing you to log in securely without typing passwords manually on public screens.
Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) via an authenticator app adds an extra layer of defence by requiring a temporary code even if a hacker captures your password.
Setting up instant bank transaction alerts also ensures you receive real-time notifications about unexpected account activity.
Protecting personal data across apps and online services
Many mobile applications constantly harvest background location data and contact lists unless you explicitly restrict their access. Reviewing app permission settings in your device preferences lets you disable unnecessary tracking features for travel or booking services.
Privacy-focused web browsers automatically block intrusive third-party trackers and scripts that profile your movements across different websites. Delete unused travel apps after returning home, too. This permanently removes unnecessary vectors from your mobile hardware.
