Robert Siciliano, an online safety expert with Intel Security, shares findings from a survey of 14,000 people about digital habits on vacation. He warns against free Wi-Fi, recommends using a VPN and keeping devices updated, and suggests locking your phone in the hotel safe when you're not using it.
Chapters
Hi, I'm Robert Siciliano, online safety expert with Intel Security. Intel's, you know, Digital Detox Survey surveyed 14,000 people worldwide and found that, you know, Americans especially, as many as two-thirds of them wanted to disconnect and unplug and detox while they're on vacation, but less than half were actually successful at it. So it's important when you're on vacation to realize that cyber criminals are also paying attention. Whenever you're on free unprotected Wi-Fi, right, when you're on vacation at a hotel, at a resort, in the airports and hotels and so forth, that this free unprotected Wi-Fi is what criminals use to access your personal information. They see the websites you visit, the usernames and passwords you type in, and they can get access to your email as well. So it's important that you make sure to download and install a VPN, which is a virtual private network, essentially that encrypts and makes sure that nobody can see your data on free public open Wi-Fi. Additionally, make sure your devices are password protected. So if your devices are lost or stolen, no one can get access to your email, your banking, or your credit card information as it's on your mobile phone. Additionally, whether you're home or abroad, make sure that your devices are properly protected in regards to antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing and a firewall. Keep your operating system properly updated as well. The survey found that while as many as two-thirds of Americans planned on actually unplugging, less than half were actually successful. Whereas countries like Mexico and Singapore, Canada and Brazil— these people know how to vacation. They actually were better at unplugging. And here in the US millennials were actually more successful at unplugging than those in their forties and fifties. So keep in mind whenever you're traveling to make sure to secure your devices using passwords and VPNs and antivirus, and take a moment to actually sit down and decompress, enjoy your vacation, unplug, lock your devices in your hotel safe, and enjoy the time with your friends and family. For more information, check out intelsecurity@intel.com and check out their Digital Detox survey.
