It used to be that when you went on vacation, the only thing you needed to lock up beforehand was your front door. But now you have to worry about “locking” anything that connects to the internet to keep your personal data safe.

The last thing you need pulling you away from a relaxing trip is news of a data breach. But there are many steps you can take to keep your real-world data safe from cyber criminals, both at home and abroad.

How to travel (cyber) securely this summer

Whether you’re a regular business traveler or one of the millions of summer vacationers just looking to get away, these five digital trust tips will help you stay secure on the go.

1. Avoid fake websites and offers that are too good to be true

Safe summer travel starts long before you pack your bags. When booking things like flights, cruises, car rentals, and accommodations online, it’s important to steer clear of fraudulent websites and phishing scams so you don’t share information with the wrong people.

Not sure how to detect fake websites? Three words: examine, examine, examine. Look for red flags like misspelled URLs and addresses that don’t start with HTTPS, site seals that don’t do anything when clicked, and sites without a padlock to the left of the URL in the address bar.

Websites aren’t the only place you need to keep your guard up. Too-good-to-be-true travel offers sent through email and social networks are a common source of phishing scams.

In a phishing attack, a user receives an email that appears to come from a reputable source, but it’s actually fraudulent—and clicking the link is like handing attackers your data on a silver platter.

To stay safe, avoid clicking on suspicious email links or downloading unknown documents. Turn to trusted sources to learn about sales and purchase opportunities, and never reveal your personal or financial information via email.

2. Prep your personal devices

Planning to travel with a laptop, smartphone, or tablet? Before you hit the road, you should take a few important steps to secure any devices you’ll be taking along for the ride.

Start with the basics: two-factor authentication (2FA) and strong passwords for your devices and online accounts. Password managers make setting and managing passwords easy, and they’ll flag any passwords that are too easy to decode. A password manager can also tell you if you’re using any duplicates or if any of your passwords have been involved in a breach.

A virtual private network (VPN) is also worth considering if you’ll be using public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs encrypt data to make it more secure, and some even check the digital certificates of the sites you visit, redirecting you to a legitimate website if the one you tried to access is fake. And if extra security isn’t a big enough incentive, VPNs are also useful for international travel in countries where certain websites and apps are prohibited. With a VPN, your device can connect to servers in your home country, allowing you to access restricted content as if you were browsing from your couch at home.

Last but not least, you can avoid vulnerabilities by keeping software and operating systems up to date. Before you travel, make sure all your devices have the latest updates installed, both for the operating system and for any apps or antivirus software. You’ll significantly reduce the risk of malware infections, unauthorized access, and other cyber threats while on the go.

3. Secure your smart home devices with Matter

You probably use at least a handful of connected devices to automate everyday tasks around the house. And thanks to smart home technology you can still control your smart locks, door locks, heating and cooling, home security, smart speakers, and security cameras even while you’re away.

Without the proper security, all those IoT devices are just one more avenue for attack. But here’s the good news: You can achieve smart home security by equipping your home with Matter-trusted devices. 

Matter is an IoT security standard that enables secure, reliable interoperability for connected devices. That’s important because it eliminates the closed ecosystems that make one brand incompatible with another, allowing you to use a single app or platform to manage all your Matter-compliant Apple, Amazon, and Google devices from anywhere in the world.

More importantly, manufacturers that sell Matter-trusted devices have to meet certain security requirements, including receiving device attestation certificates. The Matter standard provides robust encryption and authentication protocols, safeguarding your devices—and your home—from cyber threats.

4. Stay cautious while traveling

Passports, wallets, and purses aren't the only things you need to keep tabs on while away from home. If you're traveling with a laptop—especially if it's one you use for work—you'll need to secure both the machine and its sensitive data to prevent data or identity theft.

Connecting to Wi-Fi in public places like hotels, airports, and cafes can leave you vulnerable to attacks. Avoid using these public networks, even the hotel's Wi-Fi, when accessing sites that ask for personal data like a bank account or social security number. Use caution when connecting to any public Wi-Fi, and don’t trust open networks. 

A better alternative is to use your mobile device as a hotspot. If that's not an option, using a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks can encrypt internet traffic and prevent cyber criminals from stealing your personal information. And as always, stay cautious of cyber threats like phishing scams and malware.

5. Return home securely

When you get home, check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Even small charges can be a sign of a compromised attack. Make it a habit to check all your online accounts (financial and otherwise) for suspicious activity. If something seems off, report your concerns to your bank or credit union immediately.

It's also smart to change passwords for any accounts you used while traveling, especially those used to access financial information or email. As usual, be sure to choose strong, unique passwords for each and every account, and enable 2FA where you can for an extra layer of security.

Lastly, run antivirus scans on your devices to detect and remove any malware that might have been downloaded while traveling. Back up your data, and keep your software updated to protect against the latest threats.

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