Years ago, I abandoned international calling cards and pay phones to keep in touch with home when traveling. I found that Internet cafes were becoming commonplace in every city and town. All I needed was an email account to connect with friends and family. As I traveled abroad over the past couple years, I have noticed Wi-Fi hotspots proliferate at an amazing speed. Wi-Fi connections can be found in large and small hotels, at airports, in coffee shops and restaurants, and in many tourist information offices. Even bed and breakfast inns often have free Wi-Fi. I now travel with a laptop, and whenever I find a Wi-Fi hotspot, I can easily communicate using Skype, email, or social network sites. In the beginning, I paid little attention to safety and privacy — I simply went online. However, as I became more active online, I realized that Internet access is full of potential dangers. I am now very cautious about my online experience. Here are some suggestions to make your online experience safer and more secure.
Use caution when using public computers such as those in hotels, coffee houses, or Internet cafés
Use public computers to check weather, find information about destinations, or keep up with the news from your home town. Do not use a public computer to access any site that requires a password. Even email accounts have information that could be valuable to a cyber criminal. Computers in public spaces can be troublesome in many ways. They are connected to networks that may not be secure, and someone else on the network could be monitoring your computer, watching everything you do. Keystroke logging devices might be tracking every keystroke you make.
Install a dependable firewall on your laptop computer
Firewalls offer protection from unwanted intrusion into one’s computer by viruses, spyware, or other malicious software. This protection is especially crucial when traveling abroad. The latest Windows and Mac operating systems have built-in firewalls. Make sure the firewall has been enabled. For additional security, consider installing firewalls from companies such as Norton Utilities or Zone Alarm.
Use Wi-Fi safely with a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
While a firewall protects the computer, it cannot guarantee the safety of the network the computer is accessing. Information can be intercepted. For additional security, consider using a VPN on your laptop. A VPN creates an encrypted connection to a third-party server, and all your Internet traffic is routed through that server. Snoopers on the network will only see encrypted data that is completely useless to them. Hotspot Shield offers a free VPN (for a fee, they also offer a premium service) that I have installed on my laptop. This software is easy to install and simple to use.
Do your banking from home
It is not a good idea to access bank or credit card accounts from any computer unless you are absolutely certain that the computer and the entire network are totally secure. Online banking is quick and easy, but when you log in to the site your financial information becomes vulnerable. Even if you are using a firewall and a VPN, smart criminals may have a way to access your information. If you need to contact your bank from overseas, the best option is to call. Most banks and credit cards provide a phone number that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Be careful when blogging
While I love to blog about my experiences while traveling, I have learned to exercise care with the specific information I include in my blogs. Many travelers write blogs using social network sites such as Facebook or Twitter or blogging sites such as WordPress. This is a great way to keep a journal that friends and family can access; however, it can also alert criminals to the fact that your house may be unprotected. In some areas of the world, publicizing one’s exact location may also make one vulnerable to physical harm.
The Internet is a convenient way to communicate. Use it on your travels to share your experiences and make your trip more enjoyable. However, you should never take Internet security for granted. Take these precautions to ensure that your private information remains safe.
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