Most people these days keep their technology with them when they travel. Whether for work, communication, or entertainment, we rely heavily on our devices, but traveling exposes them to various risks like theft, damage, and loss. Thankfully, we can mitigate those risks by following a few helpful tips to protect your devices when traveling.
Use Protective Cases
Invest in quality protective cases to shield your devices from bumps, drops, and scratches. Look for sturdy cases that provide a snug fit. Consider hardshell cases for laptops and tablets, while for smartphones, use cases that cover the edges and have raised bezels.
Leverage Tracking Apps
Install or enable tracking apps on your devices to help you locate your devices if they are lost or stolen. For example, use “Find My” for Apple devices or “Find My Device” for Android. These tools provide the location of your devices and offer remote locking and wiping capabilities.
Keep Devices Close
Always keep your devices within close reach, ideally in your pocket or in your bag (preferably with secure compartments). If you need to leave your device unattended, store it somewhere secure, such as a hotel safe. The less exposure your devices have, the lower the risk of theft or damage.
Use Strong Passwords
Protect your smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices by locking their use with strong passwords. Strong passwords use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters while also avoiding using easily guessable information like birthdays or common words. Additionally, you can make your password protection much more secure by enabling two-factor authentication as an added layer of security. Strong passwords help protect your data if your device does, unfortunately, end up stolen.
Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient but very risky. You should never access sensitive information on public networks. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data, making it harder for hackers to intercept. Turn off automatic connections to public networks, and always verify the legitimacy of the Wi-Fi network before connecting.
Back Up Your Data
Regularly back up your data to an external drive or cloud service before you travel to ensure that you don’t lose important information if your device is lost or stolen.
Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
Stay alert to your surroundings; crowded places are hotspots for theft. Be particularly cautious in airports, train stations, and tourist attractions. As mentioned earlier, don’t leave your devices unattended. When using your device in public, avoid displaying it for long periods. Awareness and vigilance go a long way in protecting your devices.
Use Anti-Theft Accessories
Invest in anti-theft accessories, such as locks and cables for laptops, anti-theft backpacks with hidden zippers and cut-proof materials, and perhaps even RFID-blocking wallets to protect against electronic pickpocketing.
Extra Considerations
Insure Your Devices
Consider getting insurance for your devices. Many insurance companies offer policies that cover theft, loss, and damage; just make sure to check the coverage details and ensure they fit your needs. Insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind when traveling with expensive devices.
Customize Your Device Settings
Before you travel, adjust your device settings to a security-first setup. Some key settings you should adjust are enabling remote wiping capabilities to erase your data if your device is stolen and turning off Bluetooth services when not in use to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Keep a Record of Your Devices
Document the make, model, and serial numbers of your devices and securely store that information. If your device is lost or stolen, these details are useful for reporting, recovering, and filing insurance claims.
Be Prepared for Customs Inspections
Customs officials may inspect your devices, so you should have them easily accessible in your carry-on luggage. Be ready to turn them on if requested, and ensure they are fully charged before you travel. Compliance with customs inspections prevents unnecessary delays and complications.
Practical Scenarios
Let’s look at some practical scenarios where you can apply these tips.
Scenario 1: Airport Security
When going through airport security, you will need to remove your laptop from your bag and place it in a separate bin for screening. Keep a close eye on your belongings as they pass through the X-ray machine. After screening, quickly retrieve and secure your devices before moving on.
Scenario 2: Hotel Room
In your hotel room, store your devices in a portable lockbox or built-in safe if your room has one, when you are not using them. Avoid leaving your devices out in the open, especially when housekeeping is scheduled, to minimize the risk of theft.
Scenario 3: Public Transport
On public transport, keep your devices close and secure in a bag with anti-theft features. Avoid using your devices near exits where they can be easily snatched. Lastly, be discreet when taking out your devices and put them away securely after use.