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Most people get ready for their next holiday venture with glee and joy. As they depart and touch down to their destination their first thought might be to relax. As they connect to the local Wi-Fi they might forget that their personal data could be exposed. While using mobile apps on a potentially unsecured network, their information and details could be left vulnerable to parties with malicious intent.
The Internet can be a dangerous place, and the risks of browsing carelessly can put people in danger, so necessary steps have to be taken to ensure a trip is both enjoyable and safe. So, let’s dive in and explore the common risks when abroad, and how to protect your information while on the go.
Common Risks
When you’re finally off of a long flight or ride to your destination, the first thought that might come to mind is to connect to Wi-Fi. Posting about your journey is well and good but public Wi-Fi networks can expose you to data interception over an unsecured network.
Fake networks also exist to further confuse the user. Rogue hotspots with similar sounding names to legit networks can further trick you into connecting. That’s when pop-ups disguised as a special request lure you into giving your personal info away, and then you have to worry about how to delete personal data later on.
Travel apps often use location tracking to recommend the best places in town, help you navigate the area as best as you can, or give out weather reports. While useful it does have several risks attached.
While your location is tracked, your data can be simultaneously collected and shared publicly. Even though data collection in itself is a valid risk, the added threat of somebody stalking you using these apps is even more horrifying to think about.
Aside from location tracking, travel apps collect and process data such as your browsing habits and preferences. This can be sold off to third parties without your consent and, in the case of a data breach, available for exploitation.
Your data can be used for targeted marketing, based on your browsing preferences and habits. This way your choices might be influenced and manipulated by travel apps.
Privacy Protection Tips
While packing your essentials for a trip, consider making an effort to protect your online footprint, too. One way to do it would be to use a VPN. It can encrypt your internet connection to protect your user data from being intercepted.
Although a good GPS might be convenient on the go, the constant tracking can put you at risk of data misuse or potentially an even greater danger. Sometimes a good old-fashioned map with a pencil or marker can be a good alternative.
Avoid public Wi-Fi networks, especially those that don’t require a password. These networks can be extremely easy to hack and all your info can be in the hands of strangers in an instant. This can be especially dangerous when it comes to sensitive transactions. Banking or shopping shouldn’t be one of the things you do on a public network.
Making sure all your apps and devices have the latest security patches installed takes little to no effort. If possible, enable 2FA on your devices for additional security and regularly check your app permissions to prevent unnecessary data sharing.
Data Removal Tools
After you’ve backed up any data, packed your bags, and gone away to finally begin your trip properly, it might be a good idea to consider ways to remove any unnecessary data that floats around on the Internet.
Travelers can often forget that services exist that can help them have a safe online experience, even abroad. Data removal services help users by sending regular requests for data deletion to any data brokers.
On top of that, browser extensions for mobile apps also offer options for a more private browsing experience. These tools can prevent data collection by masking your identity and blocking trackers and overwhelming ads that can misuse your personal information.
Many data collection companies also have opt-out directories where users can request that their information be taken out of their data collection. While this may be a tedious thing to do on your own, it can help in protecting yourself while traveling.
Conclusion
A vacation is needed every once in a while. After all, everyone deserves a good break. However, the risks when going to another country can be severe and potentially dangerous.
This is why there has to be a balance between enjoying your time off and protecting yourself. Protecting your data is vital to having a safe online experience and mitigating risks of identity theft and data misuse.
There are a lot of dangers lurking around the digital space, and it’s up to you to make the most out of your trip.
