It’s summer holiday season, and most holiday-makers – three in four Brits (79 per cent) plan to connect to the internet during their holiday, while two-fifths (42 per cent) admit that the thought of being unplugged while away makes them feel anxious. So says Intel Security after a survey.
However, disconnecting from devices is not the only cause for concern this summer, as the IT security product company looked at which of Britons’ top 10 holiday destinations poses the biggest data security threat, and advises travellers on how to stay safe while connecting away from home.
Over the past year Spain, the UK’s number one holiday hot spot, has been victim to the third highest number of mobile malware threats. While the USA, Brits’ second favourite holiday destination, was the number one riskiest country for mobile malware breaches. Meanwhile people planning to escape to the British country this summer are also at risk, with the UK coming in at number three in the ‘risk rank’.
Intel Security has developed an interactive map to highlight the riskiest holiday hot spots for 2016: http://bit.ly/1UUvFf8.
With holiday makers relying heavily on mobile devices – 32 per cent of Brits would rather go without their laptops and tablets than without their phones while away – cyber hackers can exploit security vulnerabilities by sending malware to mobile devices through malicious websites, spam, malicious SMS messages, malware-laden ads, and downloaded apps. In doing so, they can gain access to a wealth of personal information, including images, and financial details.
Despite the risks associated with private data getting into the wrong hands, over half of Britons (54 per cent) admit that they either don’t think or don’t care about whether the connection they are using is secure. Meanwhile, more than a third (37 per cent) of Brits would connect to any internet they can find, to stay connected.
Nick Viney, VP Consumer, Intel Security, said: “Whether at work, home or on holiday, we all rely on mobile phones to stay connected to our friends, family and followers. All too often though, people throw little caution to the wind when it comes to protecting their data away from home, and are often quick to use devices to access sensitive information, without considering the potential risk.
“There is no reason for holiday makers to be scared of connecting while they are away. People simply need to take the necessary precautions to ensure they are surfing safely when travelling, such as keeping an eye on accounts and activity and making sure you only connect to secure networks.”
Intel Security has provided tips to minimise travel security risks and ensure the public can stay connected whether they are traveling at home or abroad:
•Limit Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Use: Data can be expensive, but switching on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when out and about can be a recipe for disaster. Connecting to unprotected Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices can expose your personal information to a cybercriminal. You should be especially careful when exchanging payment information. With this in mind, make sure to update your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi history by removing previously ‘remembered’ wireless networks, like ‘cafewifi.’
•Check and Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye out for suspicious activity in your bank account history. If you aren’t meticulous about monitoring your activity, a criminal could have access to your accounts for quite some time before you are aware.
•Be Careful When You Share: We love to share our experiences with friends and family via social media, but it’s important to not indicate publicly where or when you’ll be taking that relaxing vacation. Wait until you return home before posting all about it; otherwise, you could leave yourself open to would-be thieves who want to know when your home will be vacant.
Blog post from Gary Davis: http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/unplugging-survey-2016.
