Holding Onto Your Privacy When You Are Traveling

When we plan for a trip and get caught up in the excitement of it all, it’s easy to neglect privacy. However, leaving yourself vulnerable can lead to disaster. Use the following tips to ensure your privacy while traveling.

1. Avoid sharing photos. These privacy settings can show anybody where you are or that your home is currently vacant if they are not kept for your eyes only. Wait till you get home to share the memories!

2. Use the hotel safe for important documents. Having them stolen not only leaves you wide-open to identity theft complications; it leaves you stranded wherever you are. Keep everything safely locked up.

3. Set all your devices on password-protect. Stepping away from your laptop or phone for a sec means it could be stolen and the least you can do is make it difficult for someone to gain access to your files. Use a strong, non-obvious password on all digital items.

4. Keep your camera safe. Digital cameras store a lot of information and in the wrong hands could leave you vulnerable. Keep it in your purse or other bag that you monitor at all times.

5. Watch your financial activity. Check in with your accounts to make sure you are the only one using them! You could easily become the victim of identity fraud and not even know it. Most financial institutions will protect you so long as you alert them quickly enough to unauthorized activity.

6. Consider going device-free while traveling. As difficult as it may be to go without your favorite gadgets, leaving them home is the safest option. You could even buy a disposable phone for traveling, further minimizing your risks.

7. Don’t forget to sign-off public computers. Wi-Fi cafes are great for quick check-ins with friends and family, but be careful about leaving a digital footprint behind and watch who may be watching! Someone could observe your information and use it later, or simply keep using the machine you’ve left with your open accounts.

8. Avoid announcing your plans on any social media network. Even if you think your settings are safe, don’t tell everyone that you’ll be away for two weeks. You really never know who may be seeing your conversations or who might pass them along unwittingly. Be safe and tell only close friends and family off-line.

9. Put tracking software on your gadgets. Phones, laptops and other devices can be equipped with software that enables you or the police to locate them, should they be stolen or lost. Consider this a worthwhile investment when you’re traveling that could mean the difference between getting your hands on your belongings or never seeing them again.

10. Only log-on when the Wi-Fi is safe. Public access terminals may be trendy, but they can also leave you wide open. Check that the Wi-Fi is safe and avoid using it if you’re not sure. Better to be safe than sorry when your whole identity is at stake!

These actions may seem over-board, but they can keep you in control of your privacy and security while traveling. Don’t take chances and adhere to the above advice. Identity theft isn’t something you should leave to chance! Besides, taking precautionary measures will give you more peace of mind to totally enjoy yourself on vacation.