You might take vacations, but the “bad actors” who want to compromise your security online don’t. Instead, they keep an eye out for what you do and where you are when you do it. Here’s how to keep them from compromising your online safety while you travel:
Before You Go
Sign up for fraud alerts from your financial institutions. Many major banks and credit cards can send you free alerts by text or email, or call if you have a suspicious transaction. Be sure to check if this service is available, and that you have it activated before you leave on vacation.
Turn off location services, and auto connect for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your devices. These can be a great convenience for moving seamlessly through your day, but if you leave them on while you’re are on vacation, anyone sitting nearby can track you or get access to your data. If you take your laptop, turn off auto file sharing, too.
Enable PINs and passcodes on your devices. This is your first line of defense in case your phone is lost or stolen. Also, check to be sure it’s set to require the password in the shortest amount of time. Annoying for you, but even more annoying for those trying to steal your information.
Install anti-virus protection. Be sure all your devices are equipped with virus protection, and that it’s running the latest updates.
While You’re Away
Use only password-protected Wi-Fi from networks you recognize. Avoid “free” public Wi-Fi—you might pay the price of giving the bad actors access to your information. Most hotels (and even some restaurants) have password-protected networks.
Don’t post your vacation on social media while you’re away. Even if you or one of your family members is Instagram Famous, stay off social media platforms while you’re away. Your posts are broadcasting to strangers that your home is vacant, as well as giving plenty of clues when you’re not at your hotel, too. Post highlights from your trip when you get back.
Be careful on public computers. If you use a public computer, like in your hotel business center or an internet café, be sure to log out of any accounts you accessed before leaving. (If you need to check financial accounts, it’s usually safest to do it from a wired connection or cellular on your phone.) Also, if a URL starts with “https//” it means you have a more secure connection.
Finally, in addition to the steps you can take yourself, additional identity theft protection is a robust way to help keep you safe. It can go beyond fraud alerts and credit freezes to detect additional forms of identity fraud with existing accounts, or criminal, medical, or Social Security misuse. ID360 is available to you at a substantial discount because of your affiliation with Cetera Financial Group.
Visit http://www.id360.com/Cetera to learn more.
Please feel free to reach out if you’d like more information about keeping your personal information secure.
Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, and First Allied Securities, Inc. All firms are members FINRA / SIPC.