You’re one online scam away from ruining your trip to the Great American Dream.
The online breach is one of the worst things that can happen to you while you are on the go. Especially when you are new to a place like the United States, you always need to stay cautious about potential threats in such a highly digitized place.
The first thing to do to keep yourself safe when traveling is to avoid as much public wifi as possible, or having a VPN connected. You might not know it, but 20 percent of travelers find themselves the target of cybercrime abroad. You would not want to be one of them.
So, if you want to rock your vacations this year and bring some unforgettable memories home, read this article for online safety tips when traveling to the USA.
Online Privacy in the U.S.
Wherever you’re on your way to head out, it is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the online privacy environment you are stepping into.
In the U.S., there are laws that govern data collection and usage that differ from those of other countries. And as an international traveler, you should be aware of these laws.
U.S. Privacy Protection
Under the framework of federal and state laws in the U.S., businesses and internet service providers (ISPs) are permitted to collect data in situations that meet certain criteria.
In Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs data use, but the U.S. doesn’t have anything that is similar to it in any way possible.
That means that websites and services can collect your browsing history and personal details whenever you are online in the U.S.
It lowers our personal data usage, which, let’s face it, can be pricey when you are abroad. However, while public Wi-Fi is convenient and widely available in the cafés, restaurants, hotels, and airports you will likely pass through, it isn’t without its risks.
Note this, public Wi-Fi is a cybercrime playground for criminals, so it isn’t recommended when you are handling sensitive information or using a device with banking details or passwords stored.
DID YOU KNOW? As the risk of COVID-19 dropped, cybercrime related to scammy travel sites has been thriving since then.
Device and Data Protection
Most of us like to upload a few photos to social media when we travel, just to let everyone know we are living a high life. But, at the same time, the devices we use need to be secure to protect our digital identities.
Securing Your Connections
If you want to keep your internet activity protected and private, unsecured WiFi turns out to be the biggest challenge. As a solution, using a VPN while traveling is game-changing if you plan to hop from one public hotspot to another.
With a Virtual Private Network, all data transferred over your internet connection becomes encrypted and is routed securely via the VPN servers.
Securing Your Device With 2FA
All too often, devices get lost or stolen on the trips. Whereas, if they don’t go missing completely, it only takes a few moments for someone to get their hands on private information.
Therefore, strong passwords are a must, and it is also better to ensure you have two-factor authentication (2FA). It requires a secondary verification for access or biometrics enabled where available.
Scams to Look Out For
Below are some common online scams that you might encounter. Also, their red flags that visitors should be on the lookout for:
Common Phishing
Phishing scams are common worldwide, but when you travel, if hackers have any of your accommodation or itinerary plans, they can create very convincing emails. These emails seem to have been sent from the hotel you are staying in or the restaurant you have booked.
You might be tempted to give away credit card details for a reservation, as our brains go into holiday mode and switch off. But is always advised to stay vigilant and be wary of any emails or texts you might receive. Hence, look out for bad spelling or grammar, and never divulge sensitive information.
Fake Booking Deals
If you are about to book a trip to the U.S., you could be in trouble before your plane lands. Online travel scams with fake booking sites tend to pop up when we surf for a good deal.
Remember if the prices seem too good to be true they sadly probably are. Always make sure the site you are using has secure URLs (https://), and check online reviews before you make any rash payments.
Travel Browsing Tips
On a macro level, travel scams leave a huge financial impact, look into this graph above.
When traveling we typically relax but make sure you don’t get bored when browsing. Casually surfing without thought can lead to trouble but the below tips can help keep your information safe:
Ignore Suspicious Links
Any suspicious link could spell big trouble, as criminals often disguise malware downloads that auto-start when a link is opened.
If you want your trip to be headache-free, then don’t be tempted by links in suspicious emails, messages, or social media posts.
Note; always stop and think twice!
Make Sure Your Software is Up-to-Date
Your device’s protection is really only as good as its last update. Along with modern threats, your security infrastructure must also be up-to-date. Vulnerabilities are patched with each software update, so make sure you have the current ones in place.
Conclusion
Visiting the United States should be exciting and hassle-free, but online security risks could spoil it all if you don’t have your wits about you.
Hopefully, today’s breakdown of the data laws and steps you can put to good use to protect your devices will help you enjoy your trip without worrying.
If you stay cautious and keep devices locked with 2FA and up to date then you can travel the U.S with the assurance your personal information will stay safe!
