Avoid scoring a cybersecurity own goal this summer. If you are among the lucky ones traveling to the FIFA World Cup in Russia, you must be serious about how best to secure your devices and key accounts. ZoneAlarm brings you – along with the National Cyber Security Centre – some quick and easy steps to improve your personal cybersecurity and therefore have reasons only to cheer and celebrate.
Attending any sporting event and traveling overseas is an exciting experience and many of you will have been planning your trip for months, maybe years. But it’s important to take a few moments to think about simple actions you can take to keep your essential personal devices (phones, tablets, laptops) and accounts safe while abroad.
Firstly, ask yourself how many personal devices you need to take with you. Do you need to take a laptop, tablet and a mobile phone? If you lost your device, or someone stole it, what information and personal data would you lose? Could someone steal photos, videos, emails, banking details or other important information on these devices? How important are these things to you, and is it worth the risk of losing them?
Before traveling
– Check with your network operator whether your technology will work abroad and what costs are involved. It may be safer and cheaper to buy a pay-as-you-go phone.
– If you are taking your smartphone or tablet, make sure you have downloaded the ZoneAlarm Mobile Security app. If you are taking a laptop, then make yourself invisible to hackers with ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, the most comprehensive multilayered protection of its kind on the market. This way you can really get piece of mind.
– Turn on the ability to wipe your phone should it become lost. Ideally, back up all your data and photos before you travel.
– Make sure your devices are password/passcode protected and use other security features, such as fingerprint recognition. Passwords/passcodes should be unique for each account and device.
– Many email and social media providers offer two-factor authentication. You should turn this on for important accounts; it makes it harder for other people to access your accounts.
– Never download apps from unofficial providers. Unofficial app stores cannot be trusted; there is no way of knowing if the app is genuine.
– Your normal streaming services (e.g. Netflix) and online stores (e.g. Google Play, iTunes) might not work abroad. You should download films and books before you go. Do not use unofficial streaming sites as they might be untrustworthy.
While abroad
– Public and hotel Wi-Fi connections may not be safe; carefully consider what information you might be sharing when using these connections. Avoid internet banking abroad and implement the guidance above for all other accounts. Read what ZoneAlarm recently wrote about How to Ensure your Hotel’s Wi-Fi Is Safe While on Spring Break?
– Stay alert when using devices and don’t share your phone, laptop or USBs with anyone. Be cautious with any IT related gifts such as USB sticks. It is safer not to plug them in and discretely dispose of them.
– Keep your devices with you at all times if possible rather than leave them unattended. Hotel rooms, safes and lockers are not always secure because other people may have access codes or keys
Finally, and importantly, have a wonderful time and enjoy yourself at the tournament!
