Cybersecurity best practices for the holidays

Travel and holiday stress can make all of us more vulnerable to online fraud, cybercrime, and lost mobile devices. Here are personal technology tips from the Macktez team for staying secure over the holidays.

Shopping and social media

• 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 pages, are secure.
• Avoid sharing your travel plans on social media. It can flag a vacant home or vehicle for burglary.

Before you leave

• Run OS updates on your computer and mobile devices before you leave so your security patches and malware protection are up to date. Give yourself ample time: take care of this a couple of days before leaving, not an hour before you run out the door.
• Pack only the devices you need, to minimize the chances of things being lost or stolen. The same goes for credit and debit cards.

While traveling

• Never use public Wi-Fi networks for any sensitive browsing, and 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.
• Bring your own charging cables and power bank. Avoid 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.
• Set up an AirTag or Tile for any checked luggage so you can find your lost bags before the airline does.
• If you are traveling anywhere unfamiliar, download offline maps of your destinations using Google Maps or Apple Maps.

Safe travels, secure transactions, and happy holidays.