As you embark on your next adventure, we urge travelers to stay cyber-safe while away from home by following some simple practices to help keep your devices safe and your vacation plans from going awry.
Set up the “Find my Phone” Feature on Your Devices
Before you head out on vacation, enabling "Find my" on your devices will allow you to find, remotely wipe data and/or disable the device if it gets into the wrong hands.
Think Before You Book
When booking flights and hotels online, use caution to avoid falling victim to fake third-party booking companies. The best option to is to book through the official website of the airline or hotel. Stick to reputable booking websites and verify their credibility through reviews. Always double-check the website URL for authenticity. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true!
Get Savvy About WiFi Hotspots and Charging Stations
Do not transmit personal info or make purchases on unsecure networks. Instead, use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone as a personal hotspot to surf more securely. Refrain from using public charging stations.
Protect Physical Devices
Ensure your devices are with you at all times. If you are staying in a hotel, the best thing to do is lock them in a safe or lock them in your luggage. Using your device at an airport or cafe? Don’t leave it unattended with a stranger while you get up to use the restroom or order another latte. Keep your devices with you at all times. The phrase “stranger danger” also applies to cybersecurity. Read more about Device Security and how you can protect and update your devices.
Actively Manage Location Services
We all take a lot of photos of things that happen in our daily lives. Those moments can be precious memories with friends and family, or they could be photographic or video evidence of things happening in the world. While having location data can help us organize our photos and videos, sometimes you don't want that information out there. Learn more on how to manage your location settings.
Additional Resources
For more information visit villanova.edu/ITSecurity
Questions or concerns? Contact the UNIT Service Desk at support@villanova.edu
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