Cybe rTrip Advisor
For many, Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the summer travel season. This year,
59 percent of Americans plan to take warm weather sojourns – up from 51 percent last year.
Whether you’re hitting the highway and headed to the beach or flying the friendly skies to an exotic
destination, the likelihood is that you will book your trip online. Americans spend 8.7 billion minutes
per month interacting with digital travel content – a 41-percent increase year over year.
With various elements of your vacation literally at your fingertips, it’s important to keep all of yourdevices safe and secure. The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) has some hassle-free,
tried-and-true STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips to help vacationers protect themselves, their families
and their extended online communities. By following these travel-inspired “to-dos,” you can use theinternet with greater confidence and peace of mind not only when planning but also while enjoying
your well-deserved summer escape.

To p T i p s fo r G e ari ng Up to Go
Lock down your loginYour usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking
and social media. Get ready for your summer trek by fortifying your online accounts andenabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics, security keys or aunique one-time code through an app on your mobile device.

Keep a clean machine

Before you leave town, it’s important to make sure all security and critical software is up todate on your internet-connected devices. Keep devices and apps updated during
travel, too. It is your best line of defense.

Make sure all devices are password protectedBolt your digital doors and be sure to use a passcode or security feature (like a fingerswipe) to lock your mobile device.

Think before you app

Review an app’s privacy policy and understand what data (such as location and entry to
your social networks) it can access on your device before you download. Delete apps you
are no longer using.

Own your online presence

Not everyone has to know about your travel escapades and summer fun: set the privacy
and security preferences on web services and devices to your comfort level for sharing. It isokay to limit how and with whom you share information – especially when you are away.

C y b e r T rip Advisor
T o p T i p s Whi l e On t he G oActively manage location services

Location tools come in handy while planning your trip or navigating a new city, but they
can also expose your whereabouts – even through photos. Turn off location services whenthey’re not in use.

Get savvy about WiFi hot spots

Do not transmit personal info or make purchases on unsecure networks like those in local
cafes and hotel lobbies. Instead, use a virtual private network (VPN) or your phone’s cellularconnection as a personal hotspot to surf more securely.

Delete unused apps

Many people use apps that can be specific to a city or attraction. These apps should bedeleted when no longer needed.

Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth when idle

When WiFi and Bluetooth are on, they connect and track your whereabouts. If you do notneed them, switch them off.

Protect your $$$Be sure to shop or bank only on secure sites. A web address with “https://” means the sitetakes extra security measures. However, an “http://” address is not secure.

Never use public computers to log in to any accounts

Be extremely cautious on public computers in public places like airports, hotel lobbies andinternet cafes. Keep activities as generic and anonymous as possible.

Share with care

Think twice before posting pictures that would reveal you are not home or that you would
not want certain people (like your parents or employer) to see.

Post only about others as you would have them post about you
The golden rule applies online, too.

While on travel, you will probably rely heavily on your mobile devices. Take a look at this STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™
tip sheet and learn best practices for staying safe and secure online during your trip.
Taking a break from work or school this summer? Don’t take a break from online safety! Use the Department ofHomeland Security’s Cybersecurity While Traveling tip card to help you stay safe online no matter where you are.
Created by the National Cyber Security Alliance.

@STOPTHNKCONNECT

STOPTHINKCONNECT.ORG

STOPTHINKCONNECT