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July 03, 2017 at 08:00 PM
Travel seems to be on everyone’s calendar this summer. If that’s the case among your clients, safety and security are likely uppermost on their minds today. So great is their concern that 72% of U.S. travelers said they would pay more for their vacation if they could ensure greater security, according to a recent survey by Travelzoo. What travelers may not realize is that cybercrime is now as much a threat, if not more, than conventional dangers.
Whatever your clients’ travel plans, you can address the cybercrime safety and security issues they should be aware of — becoming a more trusted professional in the process — by reviewing the following checklist.
A Safe-Travel Cyber Checklist
Don’t discuss travel plans on social media. As I mentioned in my column last month, social media is great for keeping a client’s family and friends informed about their travels, but sharing can backfire if cybercriminals find out when clients are away and burgle their home. Remind clients not to post travel dates or itineraries, and to warn their children not to share their own or their parents’ travel plans — and never to reveal when no one is home.
Be wary of public Wi-Fi. Clients should always use secure connections when going online in public places. If they have to use an unsecured connection, remind clients never to check bank balances, login to credit card or other accounts, or share important personal information. This information can easily be stolen over an unsecure network. Also, remind clients to turn off Bluetooth and other connectivity features when in a public area, as these features can be just as vulnerable as Wi-Fi.
Be careful getting cash and making payments. Remind clients to be cautious of where they make payments or get cash, since these are the key access points for identity theft among cybercriminals. Using ATMs at a bank branch is safer than using standalone ATMs, and using a credit card for merchandise purchases is safer than using a debit card, which provides direct access to a bank account. Clients also should be sure their liability policy has identity theft coverage.
Turn off home computers. Many clients leave their computers on as a matter of habit, but always-on computers are more susceptible to hacking.
