Are you planning on travelling in the near future? If so, it is likely that you will be bringing along one or more of your personal or business devices. Even if you decide that the laptop can stay behind however, you may still wish to take your cell phone and maybe even an iPad or tablet with you on vacation. If this is the case, you will still want to take some steps to protect your confidential data and information that may leave you vulnerable to those that would be looking to access this sensitive information.

Ultimately, it is better to be safe rather than sorry as there are various methods of obtaining this data that can be performed without your knowledge or even in instances that they didn’t even think were possible. Here are some scenarios to be more aware of when you are travelling that can help you take the necessary precautions and avoid falling victim to data theft.

When Connecting to Wifi:

If you plan to use wifi while you are in the airport or a restaurant for example, you will need to proceed with a certain level of caution. In order to avoid having your device compromised, you should not connect to free wi-fi if you are not required to authenticate this connection through a secure webpage.

You will also want to beware of fake sign-in pages. When you go to login into a new wifi network, you will likely be asked to sign into a webpage before you use the internet at that location. If you do not recognize the website’s URL – or question it in anyway, do not log in. Both of these methods can leave the door open to individuals who are looking to steal or compromise your data. Therefore, using a little extra caution here can help you protect your data and avoid further ramifications.

Leaving on Bluetooth:

By leaving your phone’s bluetooth function on long after you need it, there is a risk that someone else will be able to gain access to your device and pair it with another device. This can allow them to access your personal files, contacts, and pictures – so remembering to turn off bluetooth can help save you the worry that you will be a victim of this type of information theft.

What to Do if your Device is Lost/Stolen:

Enable Passcode Feature:

Prior to going on your trip – even when you first buy your phone – you will want to use the passcode lock feature to ensure the safety of your information. Whether you misplace your phone temporarily or it is lost for good – by enabling the passcode feature from the get-go, you will be able to have the added security that your phone can not be opened without prior knowledge of this code. Typically, a four digit code – using a passcode is a fairly effortless way that users can protect their device’s information.

When your Device is Lost Forever:

Erase your Device’s Data:

In the event you lose track of your phone or tablet at some during your vacation – you can enlist the help of the device wipe feature to erase the information on that device. Depending on the brand of device you have (iPhone, Android, etc.) there will be specific steps you can follow that will help you wipe your phone clean of all data to protect your information from being accessed.

Encrypting Data:

One final example of what you can do PRIOR to your trip to secure your data, is to have the data encrypted. Again, if you are concerned about losing your phone, you can consult your IT department about how to encrypt any sensitive information. Should someone access your device – they won’t be able to breach any of that information. While it may be that the company already has this type of procedure in place, you will want to look into this as a precaution before you travel – and just to have the added piece of mind.

With a large number of companies allowing their employees to use business smart phones while not at work, as a result this presents a gateway of sorts that can open them up to many potentially-damaging data-theft threats. This fact alone is highly revealing of the importance associated with protecting your data and sensitive information while on vacation.

If you can keep these helpful tips in mind prior to, as well as while you are on vacation – it can really make the world of difference in terms of the level of security you have in place for your various devices. Not only will you be more likely to relax while on your vacation, your important data and information will also stay put and can also relax right there along with you.