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From the desk of Jason Balderama, CISO, County of Marin
Even if you leave your computer at home, you’ll probably stay connected when you’re vacationing. Travelers may rely on technology to get their boarding pass, book a ride share, post photos on social media, and more.
Stay cyber safe on your next adventure by following these simple practices.
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Travel lightly. Limit the number of devices you take with you on your trip. The more laptops, tablets, and smartphones you take with you, the more risk you open yourself up to.
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Check your settings. Check the privacy and security settings on web services, social media, and apps. Set limits on how and with whom you share information. You might want to change some features, like location tracking, when you are away from home.
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Set up the “find my phone” feature. Not only will this feature allow you to locate your phone, but it will also give you the power to remotely wipe data or disable the device if it gets into the wrong hands.
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Secure your devices. Set your devices to require the use of a PIN, passcode, or extra security feature (like a fingerprint or facial scan). This will keep your phone, tablet, or laptop locked if it is misplaced or stolen.
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Update your software. Before hitting the road, ensure all the security features and software is up to date on your devices. Keep them updated during your travels by turning on “automatic updates” if you are prone to forgetting. Updates often include tweaks that protect you against the latest cybersecurity concerns.
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Back up your files. If you haven’t backed up the data on your devices, like photos, documents, or other files, do so before heading on vacation. If your device is lost, stolen, or damaged, you won’t lose all your data. You can back up your data to the cloud, on an external device like a hard drive or, preferably, both.
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Actively manage location services. Location tools come in handy while navigating a new place, but they can also expose your location ‒ even through photos. Turn off location services when not in use, and consider limiting how you share your location on social media.
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Use secure Wi-Fi. Do not transmit personal information or make purchases on unsecure or public Wi-Fi networks. Don’t access key accounts like email or banking on public Wi-Fi. Instead, use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone as a personal hotspot to surf more securely.
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Think before you post. Think twice before posting pictures that indicate you are away. Wait until you get back to share your magical memories with the whole internet. You might not want everyone to know you aren’t at home.
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Protect your devices. Ensure your devices are always with you while traveling. If you are staying in a hotel, lock them in a safe if possible. If a safe is not available, lock them in your luggage. Don’t leave devices unattended or hand them over to strangers. Using your device at an airport or cafe? Don’t leave it unattended with a stranger while you go to the restroom or order another latte.
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Stop auto connecting. When away from home, disable remote connectivity and Bluetooth. Some devices will automatically seek and connect to available wireless networks. Bluetooth enables your device to connect wirelessly with other devices such as headphones. Disable these features so that you only connect to wireless and Bluetooth networks when you want to. If you do not need them, switch them off. While out and about, these features can provide roving cybercriminals access to your devices.
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If you share computers, don’t share information. Avoid public computers in hotel lobbies and internet cafes, especially for making online purchases or accessing your accounts. If you must use a public computer, keep your activities as generic and anonymous as possible. Avoid inputting credit card information or accessing financial accounts. If you do log into accounts, such as email, always click “logout” when you are finished. Simply closing the browser may not log you out of your accounts.
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Copyright © 2024 County of Marin, All rights reserved. |
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Disclaimer
The information provided in Marin CyberSafe News is intended to increase people’s awareness of cybersecurity and to help them behave in a more secure manner. Links in this newsletter are provided because they have information that may be useful. The County of Marin does not warrant the accuracy of any information contained in the links and neither endorses nor intends to promote the advertising of the resources listed herein. The opinions and statements contained in such resources are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions of County of Marin.
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