Traveling is quite an adventurous hobby that allows people to explore new places and meet new people. Even though the prospect of going to new places and learning about new cultures is quite exciting, it can not be denied that you are going into unexplored territory. So, you need to be aware of many things while traveling, especially with your data and information.
Why Protect Data While Traveling
It is not uncommon for tourists to get scammed when going on a holiday, so it is crucial to remember how data can be stolen. Many people might wonder why they need to protect their device data while traveling. It might not be very well-known among people who browse the Internet, but user information is quite lucrative. So when you are traveling, your financial information or device data can be easily branched due to a scam or a shady public network.
One thing tourists need to remember is not to scan every QR code they see. According to a recent QR code study, many are unaware of the dangers of QR codes and how scammers use them to steal information from unsuspecting people. The research revealed that the number of QR code scans increased significantly in the past couple of years, so scammers started creating fake QR codes in public places to steal people’s data.
Tourists can get scammed out of money in foreign spaces in many other ways. Not only that, but they also need to be very aware of where they use the internet and what networks they access with their devices. It is not very rare for people to use public networks when traveling, which can be problematic for their data protection.
User data is essential to protect as it can cause your personal information to be compromised. Imagine you are in an unknown location, and someone manages to get your financial information because you are connected to a public network. It is guaranteed you will be trying to get your money back and won’t be able to enjoy your vacation anymore.
Tips To Ensure Data Protection
There are not many steps you need to follow to ensure that your device data remains secure. Even though QR codes are fairly new and have become a trend, there are many ways for people to scam you through them.
So first and foremost, try to avoid scanning random QR codes, and always ensure that the QR codes are not tampered with. If you have to make a payment, try to make a cash payment rather than using a QR code to do so, as it can help you in protecting your financial information. Additionally, you must book all hotels and other amenities after doing proper research and should make payments in advance rather than using a public network to settle charges later on.
Hackers usually use restaurants and popular spots to paste QR codes on top of existing ones so that users are easily fooled. Since there is no monitoring authority to issue QR codes, it is very easy for scammers to create their QR codes and use them to scam people. So it is best if you simply do not scan any QR code. Additionally, make sure to check that the URL that you open with the QR code is secure. Also, it is better to have an antivirus or firewall installed on your devices so that you can avoid any potential spyware or malware breach.
Other than QR code scams, there are many other online scams that tourists get easily lured into. So it is better to avoid any platforms and websites that provide accommodation or transportation services at cheap. Similarly, do the proper research beforehand and create an itinerary with proper maps so that you are safe while traveling and have an idea of where you are and where you need to go.
Conclusion
Traveling is quite fun and exciting, especially for people who like to explore new places. However, it cannot be denied that users must be very aware of potential risks they can face while browsing the internet. Tourist spaces and hotels might have a lot of public networks, but it is advised that users must be very diligent while using such Wi-Fi networks.
Additionally, if you are traveling, you must be very cautious while making payments. It is also advised to carry cash rather than depend on your phone to make transactions. The responsibility to keep your data safe while you are traveling falls on you, and that is why these precautionary measures are required.
