Taking your smartphone or laptop on vacation? Protect your personal data and privacy with the tips below.
Whether it’s a business trip or a relaxing vacation, our smartphone (or laptop) often travels with us. It can be handy for looking up information, answering emails, or using streaming services. However, it can also pose risks when you connect via public Wi-Fi or if your device is stolen and not sufficiently secured. How do you ensure your data remains safe abroad?
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Use a VPN
One important action you can take for a secure internet connection abroad is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) activation. A VPN is an encrypted connection between your device (smartphone or laptop) and an external server of the VPN provider. When you surf the internet via a VPN, the location of your VPN server is displayed, not your actual location. Without a VPN, hackers can more easily intercept your data, such as passwords or emails, via public Wi-Fi. Installing a VPN is very simple. Choose a VPN provider like NordVPN or Surfshark. Then create an account and select the desired subscription. You can connect via the official website or application afterwards. A nice bonus, with a VPN you can pretend to be in your home country and enjoy certain websites or streaming services that are not allowed abroad. -
Passwords and Locking
Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are important not only on vacation but also beyond. Especially when it comes to sensitive applications like banking apps, where you prefer to keep your personal information protected. Such apps often offer biometric authentication in addition to your password. Moreover, use a password manager to store strong passwords and avoid using the same passwords. Additionally, it is recommended to enable automatic locking with a short timeout. This makes it harder for intruders to keep the device unlocked. -
Add Trackers
When the damage is already done, there are fortunately still ways to track your devices. Apple has its well-known AirTag that you can attach to devices, you can quickly track your smartphone with “Find My iPhone”, and Android offers Bluetooth tracking. This type of tracking works based on a mesh network, so no GPS is needed. As soon as the GPS signal is registered by another device with GPS functionality and connectivity nearby, the information is sent to the owner. -
Make a Backup
Do you really want to be sure that your personal data won’t be lost on vacation? Then make a backup before you leave. This is not only recommended for your vacation but also to avoid surprises in case of a crash or theft. Most well-known operating systems already have built-in backup software like Windows (File History), Android (Google One), iOS ( ) and macOS (Time Machine). Want extra security? Then make an additional backup to thecloud . Have you completed all the steps above? Then you can go on vacation with peace of mind.iCloudWorking,In,Sea,Traveling.,Man,With,Laptop,In,Beach,Hammock. macOS (Time Machine). Do you want extra security? Then make an additional backup to the cloud.
Have you completed all the steps above? Then you can go on vacation with peace of mind.