In today’s world of the Internet of Things and connected devices, it is now more critical than ever to be aware of how cybercriminals target personal information and take steps to combat them whether at work, at home, or on vacation.

This March and April, many families will be heading out of town for spring break. If it’s any indication for this year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that 35 percent of Americans had planned to take a vacation of 50 miles or more away from home in 2017. That’s nearly 114 million people!

When traveling, we often trade security for convenience. This can cause us to let down our guard and leave us vulnerable to malicious hackers who want to steal personal information.

Despite the need for increased cybersecurity when away from home, a University of Phoenix survey found that less than half (48 percent) of respondents worry about cybersecurity risks on vacation.[1] While the possibility of being hacked is not extremely high, the likelihood of data breaches increases if cybersecurity best practices are ignored while at more vulnerable locations that require the use of public Wi-Fi. On the road, travelers often only can access Wi-Fi at places like coffee shops, hotels, and airports.

Claroty

Anytime we connect to Wi-Fi networks outside of our home, we can put our personal data at risk. Public places have open Wi-Fi networks that can allow cybercriminals to track online activity and steal our data. While it is unreasonable to leave our devices at home or not use them in public, people need to be aware of the risks they face and how to stay safe.

Think of it this way: many of us would guard a backpack, suitcase, or purse from pickpockets, but if a criminal gains access into our phones (Read more...)