It’s that time of year again, when the college crowds get out of the dorms and make travel plans for Spring Break. While this is an exciting time full of endless possibilities, it’s also an opportunity for attackers to prey on unsuspecting travelers. Be on the lookout for physical threats as well as potential cyber threats with these helpful tips.
- Leave sensitive documents behind – clean out your purse and wallet and remove things like your social security card, blank checks, etc.
- Make it appear like you’re home – leave lights on in the house and park your car in the driveway
- Don’t let your drink out of your sight – be vigilant and aware of your surroundings to protect yourself against potential harm
- Don’t advertise your trip on social media – wait until you get home from your trip to post anything related to your vacation
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi – if you need Wi-Fi, choose a network that is password protected
- Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card – credit cards offer better fraud protection that limits your liability
- Make copies of your travel documents – if you lose your passport or driver’s license, you’ll be prepared to act quickly to put an identity theft protection plan in place.
- Check your bank and credit card statements after you return – review very carefully to look for fraudulent charges
- Password-protect all of your devices – utilize multi-factor authentication
- Travel in groups – to avoid being caught alone and vulnerable
Now that you have these useful tips to stay safe during Spring Break, go relax, unwind, and remain vigilant when it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones from potential harmful people and situations.
