December Things To Know: Stay Cyber Safe While Traveling for the Holidays

As the semester wraps up and holiday travel begins, it’s important to take your cybersecurity habits on the road. Whether you’re visiting family, flying abroad or simply studying in a café, staying connected shouldn’t mean being vulnerable. Here are a few tips from FSU Information Technology Services (ITS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help you protect your personal information while traveling.

Before you go:  

• Update your devices. Keep all apps and operating systems updated to guard against malware and security flaws. 

• Back up your data. Save your photos, contacts and documents to a secure cloud or external drive before you hit the road. 

• Enable “Find My Device.” If something goes missing, this feature can help locate, lock or even erase your device remotely. 

• Lock it up. Use strong passwords or biometric locks and get in the habit of locking your devices whenever they’re unattended. 

While You’re Traveling 

• Be selective with Wi-Fi. Public hotspots in airports, hotels or cafés can be targets for cybercriminals. Confirm the network's name with staff before connecting and avoid online shopping or banking on public Wi-Fi. 

• Turn off auto-connect. Disable Bluetooth and automatic Wi-Fi connections to prevent your device from connecting to unknown networks. 

• Think before you click. Be cautious with links and downloads; phishing emails can look especially convincing during the holiday rush. 

• Guard your gear. Never leave devices unattended in public areas or hotel rooms. Keep them secured and close by. 

A little preparation can go a long way toward keeping your holiday stress-free and your data safe. Remember to Stop. Think. Connect, and enjoy your travels knowing your digital life is protected.