Is there any Wi-Fi?, is a frequently asked question when looking for a nice holiday destination. Because we want to enjoy the advantages of the internet when we are on holiday as well. Don't let a bad internet experience ruin your holiday. Some tips for secure use of Wi-Fi on holiday.
Be safe online and enjoy a carefree holiday
Do you really need Wi-Fi to go online? Check the conditions of your mobile contract. If you don't have to pay extra for data traffic, it is best to use your 3G/4G network. This is always more secure. If you have sufficient data available and are not watching long movies, you can even use your mobile as a hotspot for your laptop or tablet. Every mobile has this feature nowadays.
Free Wi-Fi in the holiday park, at the hotel or restaurant, is great, but always make sure you have the correct network name (SSID). The correct name of the network is, for instance, HotelSunandSee. A cybercriminal can set up a false Wi-Fi network relatively simply with the rather tempting name: HotelSunandSee_superfast. If you connect to this network, this criminal can intercept all your online activities.
Stay safe online. Bank transactions or other important transactions should not be done on an open Wi-Fi network. Avoid creating accounts where you need to enter a password. There is a risk that someone is 'looking over your shoulder' and that your password is discovered. For the same reason don't install any new apps.
Finished browsing or sending messages? Disconnect from the Wi-Fi. Criminals will be unable to access your device. Make sure your device does not automatically look for Wi-Fi and connect with this network. It will also save your battery.
Only browse to secure websites which you can recognise by the URL (https:// instead of http://). A green lock appears in front of the URL in the browser.
Received a suspicious message? Never click on the links or attachment but delete it. Forward the message to suspicious@safeonweb.be
Always, and particularly if you open new accounts on holiday, use strong passwords.
How to ensure your browsing is secure when travelling? Install a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This is your personal secure tunnel to the Wi-Fi network. You can install free or paying VPN services online. Various virus scanners also offer VPN.
Source: cert.be
