Traveling has never been easy with technology. Beyond being a communication tool, tech companies are introducing more applications to make traveling convenient for modern travelers. From virtual maps, online hotel booking, and digital travel guides, travelers now depend on their devices more than ever.
Going on long trips is also a great time to showcase your high-tech device. Some travelers even adorn their phones with wood smartphone phone cases to complement their stylish airport outfits.
Since our gadgets are one of our precious assets, losing them can be pretty devastating, especially if you’re in the middle of traveling. According to Asurion, an electronic insurance company, more than 29 million phones are lost each year. A lost phone can lead to serious implications if it contains private information, such as bank accounts, e-mails, and other important data.
Damaging or losing your gadget is certainly one of the worst nightmares you don’t want to experience while traveling. Unfortunately, many travelers fail to realize the importance of gadget protection when traveling. This means prioritizing data protection as well as the device itself. That being said, here are the ways to protect your gadget and private data when traveling.
Get yourself anti-theft gear
While this may sound obvious, travel cases are a must if you’re bringing an electronic device with you. A travel case serves as your gadget’s line of defense from theft and outside elements, such as rain, snow, and heat.
Carry-ons are perfect for minimalist travelers to keep their gadgets close to their bodies. Some tourists even wear their backpacks against their chests to protect their belongings against pickpockets.
Meanwhile, there are bags designed specifically to optimize the travel experience by putting safety as a priority. Anti-theft backpacks or theft-proof bags help travelers to be less susceptible to theft and lost devices. These contain multiple secret pockets for the phone, wallet, and passport. It also comes with protective laptop sleeves if you’re planning to work while traveling. Other bags may include special features such as water resistance and weatherproofing.
If you’re keen on your phone’s safety, get a waterproof carrying case if you’re going on a beach trip or visiting a lot of food establishments. For those carrying tablets, a hard-shell case will protect the delicate components of the device, while laptops require a padded case or an industrial-style case with an external hard shell.
Whatever type of gadget you’re planning to bring, never leave without securing it in a travel case. For extra measure, invest in a quality anti-theft backpack for future travel use.
Install a tracking application
Let’s face it: traveling can be pretty hectic. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re busy traveling from one place to another. There are plenty of sights to see, images to capture, and people to meet, and protecting your device and belongings is your least priority. That’s why it’s common for travelers to leave items behind, may it be in the plane, locker, or hotel.
Theft is a widespread business, and you’ll surely find pickpockets in almost any place. Tourists are often their main target since they take advantage of their unfamiliarity with the surroundings, and they often carry large amounts of cash and valuables.
Physical trackers will take the burden out of your travel experience. Tracking applications track a lost device and aid the local police in recovering lost items. Trackers are often used for keys and other non-tech items, but you can also use them for your phone, tablet, laptop, and camera.
For extra measure, make sure to back up the data in case the device gets stolen, lost, or damaged forever. This is especially important if you’re keeping important documents, contacts, and pictures inside the device. If you don’t have an external storage with you, there are plenty of cloud platforms out there that offer data backups.
Improve the data security of your device
When traveling abroad, a public Wi-Fi connection is probably one of the first things you look for, whether in a hotel, restaurant, and other destinations. Installing a strong anti-virus software can protect your device from any cyberattack that may be present on the public network you’re connected to. But as much as possible, use a secure hotspot connection instead of public Wi-Fi.
Another mistake travelers do is changing the security settings of their phones or foregoing software updates. The browser settings in your phone are fairly secure enough so don’t bother changing them. For software updates, always check if there’s an update to avoid missing out on the latest security features.
Technology has opened a lot of opportunities for modern travelers. Not only has it been helpful in terms of communication, but it helped everyone to stay productive and entertained. But the idea of owning a personal device also comes with risks. That’s why travelers should take careful steps to protect their gadgets and also their data.