Be sure your devices are travel-ready!

You do all you can to protect yourself and those you love during summer travel--sunblock, sunglasses, etc.  Don't forget to also protect your devices while travelling this summer too.

All Travel Tips

1. Change your passwords before travelling and when you return.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts it is available on for added protection.
3. Lock your devices with new passwords/PINS that are long and strong and something you've never used before.
4. Update your devices operating systems and software/apps.  The latest updates help patch holes that make your devices more vulnerable to attacks.
5. Delete software and apps you no longer use to reduce how you might get an infection or hacked.
6. Turn off automatic Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.  If you automatically connect everywhere you go, you could automatically connect or send your data to unsecured networks or to unknown devices.
7. Log out of browser settings so your active content is not available.  Remove saved login credentials such as usernames and passwords.  Also remove saved form data, such as credit card numbers.
8. Back up all data before travelling in the event you have damages, theft, or other data loss.
9. Fully encrypt your device.  When creating the encryption password, use one that is long and strong and something you've never used before.
10. Use services like Apple's Find My iPhone, Google's Find Your Phone or Find Your Android Device.
11. Use remote wipe options in the event your device is lost or stolen.
12. Opt to store your devices in luggage and carry-on bags that you can LOCK to avoid theft.

International Travel Tips

1. Check with TSA regulations and the U.S. Department of State Department Travel Advisories for alerts and warnings, which include "tech" restrictions, for each country you plan to visit.  Visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation website to learn about digital privacy at the U.S. border.  Also check with the CDC when travelling.
2. Clear your devices of any content that may be considered illegal or questionable in other countries and verify if the location you are traveling to has restrictions on encrypted digital content.  If so, don't encrypt your data.  But you may want to remove it from the device while you travel.
3. Power off your devices before arriving at the U.S. border because that is where the risk of nearby high-tech attackers is the highest.

General Tips

1. Watch how you input your passwords and PINs.  Be sure no one is shoulder surfing (watching you from behind) or from the side of you.
2. Be sure all of your passwords and PINs are long and strong and different.
3. Charge your devices before you leave home and remember to bring your chargers with you.
4. You may also want to purchase a portable battery charger for long trips where charging may be difficult.