7 ways to keep your smartphone safe while traveling
Smartphones are an indispensable item on every trip, from taking photos, looking up maps to making payments. However, this device can also easily become a target for theft, damage or data leakage if not properly protected.
From looking up maps, booking museum tickets, making payments, taking group photos to live streaming from your hotel room, your smartphone is with you every step of the way while traveling.
However, every time you take your phone out of your pocket, you face a series of risks such as dropping it on the floor or beach, connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi at a resort, or worse, having it snatched in the middle of a crowded street.
Here are 7 simple but effective ways to help you protect your smartphone and personal data while traveling, to make your trip safer and more complete.
1. Don't skip the phone protection layer
If you don’t already use a screen protector or case on your smartphone, a vacation is a good time to change that habit, even if it’s just a short trip. When you’re traveling, you’ll often be carrying a lot of items, moving through crowded places or high-risk areas like beaches, swimming pools, or airports, so dropping, bumping, or having something stolen is a common occurrence.
Invest in a case that fits your hand, and even has a ring to help you hold your phone better. Some models even have built-in card slots, making them a convenient wallet alternative. Whatever style you choose, the rule of thumb is to provide an extra layer of protection for your most important device while on the go.
2. Equip yourself with a mobile security solution before you hit the road
If you're using Android and don't have any security apps installed, consider getting a reliable antivirus, especially if your desktop protection doesn't cover your mobile device. For iOS users, while the operating system is generally considered secure, you should still proactively check and disable potentially risky settings.
An ideal security app will alert you to threats, detect unsafe Wi-Fi networks, and ideally come with a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your connection while on the go. Some also offer advanced features like privacy monitoring and scanning for malicious links in text messages, giving you added peace of mind when using your phone on the go.
3. Back up your data before you leave
Before every trip, make sure all important data, from photos, contacts, notes to schedules, is safely backed up. You can choose between reputable cloud storage services or manually back up to your personal computer, depending on your needs and usage habits.
Backing up your data helps you avoid losing valuable information in case your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, such as falling into a pool or beach.
However, make sure to back up over a secure network connection, avoid using public Wi-Fi, and maintain a regular backup routine for peace of mind on every trip.
4. Enable location feature to protect device remotely
Before you hit the road, make sure you’ve enabled “Find My Phone” or a similar location tool built into your device’s operating system. Not only is this an effective way to locate your lost phone, it also allows you to remotely lock it or wipe its data in the event of theft.
Proactively enabling this feature will help you react quickly if your device disappears, and prevent bad guys from accessing personal photos, bank accounts, or other sensitive information on your phone.
5. Be careful with public Wi-Fi networks
While traveling, you will encounter countless public Wi-Fi hotspots, from airports to restaurants to coffee shops. While convenient, these free Wi-Fi networks also pose many security risks such as data theft, man-in-the-middle attacks, and malware installation.
To reduce the risk, turn off the “Automatically connect to public Wi-Fi” option on your phone. This prevents your device from automatically connecting to any available network without your control.
Instead, prioritize using mobile data or only connect to Wi-Fi networks you trust and know the source of, especially when making transactions involving finances or personal information.
6. Always set a strong password to protect your device and data
Passwords are the first and most important line of defense to protect your smartphone and your personal data. If your device supports them, prioritize using biometric authentication such as fingerprint or facial recognition to increase security while still being convenient to use.
In the absence of these features, set up a strong password, combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters for your phone as well as important accounts.
Additionally, before traveling, consider installing a reputable password manager to store and track all of your login information, avoiding the risk of forgetting your password or having to re-enter it multiple times while on the go.
7. Always update your operating system and applications before you hit the road
Before you set off on your trip, make sure your phone's operating system and all apps, especially important ones like banking, email or social media, are updated to the latest version.
Updating not only brings new features, but more importantly, it helps patch security holes that can be exploited. When you travel, you often have to connect to many unfamiliar networks, so timely updates will help protect your device against threats and maximize personal data protection, wherever you are.
