10 Super Effective Mobile Security Tips for Travelers [Infographic]

From packing your bags, buying supplies, and creating the perfect travel itinerary, there’s a lot to do when you’re heading out of town. One thing you don’t want to worry about while you’re gone? Your media and mobile devices. In our technology-driven world, however, mobile security is a major concern. According to Travel and Leisure: “Security experts are adamant that wherever travelers go, they have to assume their devices and their data are in danger.”

So how do you protect yourself and your data while you’re away from home? Whether you’re traveling with your laptop, smartphone, or tablet, these expert mobile security tips will make sure your data stays put while you’re on the go.

No matter where you’re headed, follow these 10 mobile security tips for a worry-free trip.

Mobile Security Tips for Travelers

1. Update ALL of Your Devices

Update your devices before you leave town.

If you’re bringing your laptop, update your anti-virus software. On your phone and/or tablet, install the latest version of your operating system and download any app updates before you leave. Software and app updates have important bug fixes and security patches.

Delete any apps you don’t use regularly; since you don’t use them, you probably don’t update them either.

2. Use Passcodes

You may not like to unlock your phone constantly, but it’s a great idea for added security when you travel. If your phone or tablet is password protected, thieves can’t access your device when it’s stolen.

You may also want to consider setting passwords for individual apps, especially ones that store important data, like e-mail or banking info.

3. Be Cautious With Wi-Fi Hotspots

Don’t connect to just any Wi-fi network, make sure the connection is secure. Stay away from networks that don’t require a password. Your best bet is to use the network at the airport or hotel, but keep in mind, hackers often create networks with similar names to trick travelers.

If you’re unsure which one is the right one, it never hurts to ask!

4. Avoid Public Computers

Whenever possible, avoid public computers, like hotel business centers and Internet cafes.

“The risks that such devices are contaminated are just too high,” writes Robert McGarvey from Travel and Leisure. “Crooks are adept at installing ‘key logging’ software, which means they can easily know your every keystroke.”

If you absolutely must use a shared computer, follow these mobile security tips:

• Don’t try to access your e-mail.
• Don’t check your bank balance.
• Avoid any website that requires a username or password.

5. Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a group of computers networked together over a public network. You can use VPN to access network resources when you’re not connected to the Local Area Network (LAN).

VPN enables protected access; it secures the Internet connection to keep your data safe from hackers.

“Whenever possible, use a VPN,” says Aaron Zar from Silent Pocket. “VPN’s are used to add security and privacy by encrypting all online data transfers. There are some VPN providers who offer free services, but you’ll find beefed up gateways, guaranteed security, and increased speed of data transfer you cannot find on free services.”

If you don’t have VPN through work, here’s how to set up your own VPN.

6. Turn off Bluetooth

Bluetooth is great to pair your devices or listen to music on your Bluetooth speakers, but make sure you turn it off when you travel.

When you enable your Bluetooth connection in a public place, like an airport or hotel lobby, anyone around you can pick up the signal and access your phone.

“Bluetooth was designed to run small, wireless devices on batteries and security was frankly an afterthought,” Aaron says. “From our smartwatches, health trackers, speakers, and wireless headsets, Bluetooth’s vulnerabilities leave devices trackable, hackable, and provides endless metadata for hackers.”

7. Backup Your Data

Backup your data before you leave and store it in a safe, secure place. This way if you lose your phone or laptop, you can recover your important files and media.

8. Find my iPhone / Wheres my Droid?

Before you leave, enable Find my iPhone or download Wheres my Droid?

In the event that your phone or tablet is lost or stolen, you can use these apps to find your device.

9. Protect Your Data With Remote Wipe

Remote wipe lets you delete all the data on your phone or tablet from a remote device. You can use remote wipe on an iPhone if you have Find my iPhone enabled, so if you followed the last step, you’re good to go. You can login to iCloud.com to erase your phone or tablet.

To use this feature on an Android, select “allow remote lock and erase” in the Android Device Manager. If you lose your phone, you can access the Android Device Manager from your Google account to erase your phone information.

10. Don’t Announce Your Trip on Social Media

We know you’ve probably picked out the perfect hashtag for your trip, but use caution when announcing your travel plans on social media; do you really want everyone to know you’ll be away from home for an extended period of time?

We promise you can still make your friends jealous of your jet setting if you wait until you get back to post your photos on Instagram.

We put together this infographic to help you remember these important mobile safety tips. Use this as a checklist before you head out of town!

Download younity and Leave Your Laptop at Home

Unless you absolutely need your laptop, leave it at home, one less thing to pack and worry about. If you think you will need files from your computer while you’re away, get younity for a worry-free travel experience.

younity lets you access all the videos, music, photos, and documents from your computer on your mobile device, so whether you’re heading overseas or traveling domestically, you’ll have everything you need!

Want to give it a try? Download younity for free!

If you’re driving instead of flying, check out these awesome road trip tips.

What are your best mobile security tips for traveling? Let us know in the comments below!