Attention - digital sunburn
Of course, even on vacation, men and women have their smartphones and tablets in their luggage. But data espionage, credit card fraud or theft of mobile devices could spoil the vacation fun. While most people check their homes carefully to make sure windows and doors are locked before starting their trip, they don't usually take the same approach to security in the digital world. A few digital security tips.
"Cybercriminals know very well that travelers are more carefree," says Thomas Uhlemann, Security Specialist at Eset. "Manipulated WiFi hotspots everywhere, infected travel apps or banking Trojans can quickly spoil the fun. In short: You should pack the digital sunscreen for the devices. Also important in public places: Credit and debit cards belong in a protective sleeve or a special wallet with integrated RFID and NFC blockers. That way, thieves can't read the cards as they pass by and debit tiny amounts."
Focus on mobile banking
At present, criminals are increasingly targeting users who carry out their financial transactions with their smartphone or tablet. Again and again, fake and malicious banking apps are appearing in the official app stores. The goal of the perpetrators is to obtain login, credit and other sensitive user data. "Users should check apps very carefully before installing them. This can be done by checking ratings, user comments, the number of installations and the access rights required," advises Uhlemann.
Secure mobile payment
A recent Eset survey showed that 65 percent of users are suspicious of smartphone payments. However, the threat level for mobile payments is currently low. Those who rely on banking and payment apps should only trust the program provided by their own bank or financial services provider. Paying with apps like Google Pay or Apple Pay is also very secure. At the checkout, these services do not transmit the customer's credit card number, but only an encrypted proxy number. Attackers cannot spy out any useful data this way.
Before vacation
– Back up important data: Important data on the smartphone and tablet can be backed up. USB sticks, external hard drives or cloud services are suitable for this. If the hardware is lost, at least the data is not lost and can be restored later.
– Posting on social media: To avoid making it easier for virtual and real thieves to prepare, users should not post publicly on social media about their vacation.
– Install security software: Users should install security software on their smartphone, tablet or notebook. In addition to reliable protection against malware and other threats, security solutions that also include functions such as theft protection are recommended.
– Deploy anti-theft solutions: Smartphones and tablets are more easily lost on vacation. To make it difficult for thieves, modern anti-theft modules use the built-in camera, for example, to photograph the perpetrator unnoticed. They also localize the geo-coordinates of the lost device.
– Update software and security solutions: The operating system, the installed apps and the security solutions used should be up to date. This prevents the exploitation of known security gaps.
– Make a note of lock numbers: Before starting their trip, vacationers should make a note of the blocking number of their credit and debit card service provider. This way, in the event of a loss, the card can be immediately rendered unusable.
During the vacation
– Use WiFi hotspots only with VPN connection: Hotels, bars and other locations entice vacationers with free WiFi access. This is particularly practical for long-distance travel, because vacationers often do not have additional SIM cards and their own data volume is limited. However, there is a risk that criminals can spy out sensitive data or important data such as login or credit card details via such a network. Users should therefore additionally secure the connection with a trustworthy VPN solution. However, purchases or financial transactions should still be postponed until after the vacation.
– Be careful when paying: Contactless payment is also becoming increasingly common at resorts. A special protective cover or wallet shields the credit or debit cards. This prevents thieves from reading the data with special devices. Alternatively, depending on the support of the house bank, Apple or Google Pay can also be used. This increases security during the payment process.
– Disable radio networks: If it is not needed, the Bluetooth and WLAN functions can be deactivated. This way, users reduce the possible attack surfaces for cybercriminals.
Source: Eset
