Cybersecurity tips for summer holidays

Did you know that the holiday season is one of the most critical times in terms of cybersecurity for individuals? During summer break, there's so much to plan (flights, hotels, activities, meals...) that we tend to forget about cybersecurity. Here are five easy tips to keep everything secure.

Avoid public Wi-Fi

If you are travelling, you should avoid connecting your device to passwordless Wi-Fi networks and public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in hotels and restaurants. Accessing a public or passwordless Wi-Fi network means that anyone with sufficient knowledge can gain access to the information flowing between your device and the router, and even steal passwords and other sensitive data. It also exposes you to the risk of an outsider being able to access your device and even view the messages you send. Therefore, if you have no other option but to connect to one of these networks, ESED recommends that you avoid all activities that include confidential information, such as internet shopping, banking, etc.

Back up before you leave

Backing up is one of the easiest ways to protect the integrity of your data in the event of a disaster. Not only for computer attacks, but also for theft or fire situations. One of the methods to follow to make backups is the 3-2-1.

This rule consists of:
- Make at least 3 backup copies
- Have these copies in at least 2 different formats.
- 1 of these copies should be located in a different place than the other two copies.

Updated your devices

In the previous post we talked about the benefits of keeping your device up to date. This is important as many of these updates offer patches that minimise the vulnerability of your device. 

Be careful with what you plug into your devices

Your smartphone is running out of battery and suddenly you find a charging station where you can plug  your phone to a USB cable. Tempting as it may be, it's best to avoid it at all costs. Hackers have been using USBs since the dawn of USBs to introduce malware, such as ransomware. Although this method has been around for years, it is still very popular and highly effective. Remember, it is best to always carry your own charging cable and a portable battery.

Activate two-factor authentication

It is always recommended to enable 2FA, especially for your most valuable accounts. It is an extra security measure that usually requires the user to enter a code generated by an app in addition to their password to access the service. Many applications already offer 2FA, such as Twitter and Google.

As you can see, whether you're going to the Costa Brava or Cancun, having a secure vacation can be very easy by following these tips. However, you still can't let your guard down. From ESED, we wish you a great vacation.