We hope the biggest challenge you have to face this holiday season is avoiding talk of politics with your relatives. But travel (plus stress) can make us all more vulnerable to online fraud, cybercrimes, and lost mobile devices.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled some personal technology tips from the Macktez staff on using technology around the holidays — a gift from our team to yours.
- When shopping online for plane tickets or holiday gifts, be careful about unfamiliar vendors. Only shop at reputable websites and confirm that the pages, especially payment, are secure.
- Avoid sharing your travel plans on social media, as this can highlight vacant property for home or vehicle burglary.
- Run OS updates on your computer and mobile devices before you leave to make sure your security patches and malware protection are up to date. And be sure to give yourself ample time! (Take care of this a couple of days before leaving, not an hour before you run out the door.)
- Less is more — only pack the devices you need, to minimize the chances of things being lost or stolen. (The same goes for credit and debit cards.)
- Never use public Wi-Fi networks for any sensitive browsing. Be similarly cautious using Wi-Fi at hotels or short-term rentals. Even using a VPN does not necessarily secure your traffic. Instead, use your phone as a hotspot over data as needed.
- Be prepared with your own charging cables and power bank while traveling. Avoid using public or strangers’ cables and accessories in airports and coffee shops, because these can be vulnerable to hacking and malware.
- Share your location with trusted friends or family members using location-sharing apps.
- Buy and set up an Airtag or Tile for any checked luggage so you’ll be able to find your lost bags before the airline does.
- If you are traveling to anywhere unfamiliar, download offline maps of your destinations using Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Safe travels, secure transactions … and happy holidays!