It’s summer vacation time, and it’s safe to say that this season of fun in the sun will be a lot better than last year. In fact, a survey from April found 50 percent of U.S. adults are likely to take one vacation during the summer months — June to September — this year. This July Fourth saw record-setting road travel, with 43.6 million holiday revelers hitting the highways, 5 percent more than the last record set in 2019, Reuters reports.
While a post-vaccination summer means you’ll be able to enjoy the summer sun with friends and family, the regular concerns of daily life still persist. While it might seem like the ideal time to be carefree, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) cautions that it’s crucial to keep personal cybersecurity at the top of your mind.
In a guide written in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA), CIS outlines that you have to think of “your smartphones and devices as being just as important as your wallet.” Here are a few of the key tips they highlight:
Keep your devices up to date: Make sure you update your devices to the latest software versions. If there’s an update, don’t put it off. These contain important security patches to keep your data secure.
Come up with strong passwords: Make sure you have a strong laptop password that is at a minimum of eight characters and that ideally includes a phrase with both upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. For smartphones, they recommend a passcode of at least six characters, or “a swipe pattern with at least one turn of direction when protecting the lock screen.”
Lock your device: If you’re leaving your phone behind to jump in the pool or head to the volleyball court, make sure you set an automatic device lock that would require someone to enter your secure passcode after a specific period of inactivity.
Be vigilant about travel booking sites: Booking your lodging and vacation itinerary through travel websites can come with security risks, especially as you share credit card and other personal information. Before you log on, make sure to review the reputation of the website if it is one you haven’t used before. Try to focus on sources with good reputations and if you feel you’re being asked intrusively for information that is too personal or has nothing to do with your travel itinerary, do not share your data and please use a different method for booking your trip.
Keep a tab on your device: Similar to the need for an automatic device-locking system, be vigilant at all times about where your devices are. Keep them on your person, or if not, in a secure location while you’re enjoying summer activities. Devices like smartphones and tablets contain your most sensitive information and they are expensive, a major target for thieves.
Be wary of public W-Fi: While public Wi-Fi signals might be convenient when you’re on the go in a new town or city, they pose significant security risks. These Wi-Fi systems are unregulated — they often don’t need specific credentials for logging on and are generally not protected by encryption services. Your browsing activity, bank account and social media information — even your geo-location — are not secure. Avoid making financial transactions while using these networks. Use your phone carrier’s Internet connection, make another device a personal hotspot, or set your device to ask for your permission before it logs onto any Wi-Fi network.
Be careful with your social media: It can be tempting to post every aspect of your vacation on Facebook or Instagram, but keep in mind this comes with risks. It can alert potential burglars that your home is unattended, or could also open you up to travel-related scams. Consider setting your posts to private — only accessible to select family or friends — or, at the least, be judicious about what you’re sharing and who can see it.