Warning for MILLIONS of iPhone users before going on holiday this year
HOLIDAYS are a time to relax, but it’s important not to get too relaxed when it comes to your tech security.
Cyber crooks often target vacationers and tourists. So make sure you don’t make any iPhone, Facebook or WhatsApp goofs this summer.
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“Flight cancellations aren’t the only thing to look out for when preparing for your next holiday,” warned cyber protection firm Panda Security.
“Travellers shouldn’t just fear pickpockets on their next vacation, they should also be cyber-savvy.”
Cyber security experts have shared four tips for staying safe online this summer.
Public wifi
When traveling you will almost certainly use public WiFi.
This can be in a restaurant, at the airport or any other public place.
But be very careful – it involves risks.
“Hackers have ways to monitor traffic going in and out of public Wi-Fi networks,” Panda Security said.
“Traffic can include anything from personal passwords to social security numbers.
“So if you plan to use public Wi-Fi, be aware that anything you share on your smartphone while connected to the network may be unintentionally shared with a third party.”
Also, consider using a VPN app that encrypts your activity so hackers can’t see what you’re doing.
social media
Going on vacation is always a highlight of the year.
So you definitely want to showcase your holiday on social media.
Still, you must do it in a safe manner.
“By sharing your location, it could alert troublemakers that you’re not home,” Panda Security explained.
“Break-ins are on the rise in the UK and the more you share on social media, the more information you give out to the world for people to benefit from.”
Consider not uploading photos and videos until you get home.
Find my device
Losing your iPhone in the UK can be very painful.
But losing it on vacation can make things worse.
Thankfully, there’s an Apple feature that can track a lost iPhone even when it’s turned off.
“It’s important to make sure you can find your device if something goes wrong,” said Panda Security.
“Enable features like iOS ‘Find My’ to be able to track your device in case of an incident or especially if you want to share your location with your friends and family.”
PCs with public access
When we are not at home, we are sometimes dependent on public funds.
This could include a public PC – maybe one in your hotel, in a library, or at the airport.
Unfortunately, this always comes with a risk. Therefore, use these machines with caution.
“Travellers should think twice before entering sensitive information or connecting smart devices or USB sticks to a public PC,” Panda Security warned.
“Hackers have the power to log any information you enter and use it to infect your connected device.”
The cyber experts added: “While we all head back to travel, use these tips and tricks to be better prepared for your upcoming summer vacation.”
“Update your apps and operating system to ensure your data is backed up securely, to ensure all your images are safe and reliable in case something is lost or broken while on vacation.”
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