Nowadays, almost no one travels abroad without going online. Here are 4 major tips for cyber safety while traveling.

▲Nowadays, almost no one travels abroad without going online (illustration / photo by reporter Cai Wenjun)

By Rita

Nowadays, almost no one travels abroad without going online, and public Wi-Fi is travelers' top choice.According to Lonely Planet, an online survey conducted abroad by McAfee revealed that 58% of people know how to check whether a Wi-Fi connection is secure before using it, while about half do not bother to verify its safety.

Many people try hard to relax and stay offline during their holidays, but in reality, everyone knows it’s practically impossible to completely avoid the internet. The survey found that 57% of people still use the internet constantly while traveling. McAfee stated that this also indirectly opens the door to hackers. Although 43% of respondents said they would try to avoid using the internet while traveling, 52% admitted they go online for at least an hour every day. Internet usage habits also vary across age groups, with younger individuals being more dependent on the internet.

To ensure cyber safety during your trip, McAfee has offered several suggestions:

1. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
If possible, try to avoid using public Wi-Fi. If you must connect, use a VPN, which can protect your personal data by ensuring that your information is transmitted securely from your device to its destination.

2. Make sure your software is up to date
Older versions tend to have lower security.

3. Download protective software

4. Use a location tracking app
It can be very troublesome if you lose your phone or laptop while traveling. You can download a location tracking app in advance. If you do lose your device, it can help you locate, lock, or erase the data on your electronic devices to prevent theft.