Travel can bring some risks, but for those who need to be connected to the internet while traveling, they need to be cautious about internet risks. The FBI recently released a warning about hackers targeting guest's data when they log into hotel Wi-Fi overseas, but hacking can occur anywhere during travel.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint center issued the warning to U.S. executives, government workers and academics. Although they didn't specify a particular country, they said that internet-connected travelers received fake software update pop-ups while using hotel internet connections. The updates turned out to be damaging software.
Sian John, UK security strategist at Symantec, the largest computer security software maker, said that hotel Wi-Fi connections present many risks. She told CNN that these usually free Wi-Fi connections are not set up with proper security settings, so they present threats to business travelers in particular.
"One of the major ways data loss happens is when people are traveling," she said. "You're not in a secure area ... That is where the risks tend to arise," John said.
Travelers need to be cautious when connecting their laptops, tablets, like iPads, smartphones, like the iPhone, and other Wi-Fi capable devices where private information can be shared.
Travelers often use free Wi-Fi connections in hotels, airports, conference center and business facilities, but these connections can be risky as private and corporate data can be shared on these widely used connections. Security on these networks can vary, but some contain very open settings.
"Anyone can connect to them, which means anyone can look at the traffic going across them. It's very easy to sit on one of these things and pick up the traffic going through them. There are devices out there that let you hijack them," John said.
Gary Davis, McAfee's director of global consumer marketing, noted an increase of hacking cases when users log into fake public Wi-Fi hotspots.
"People will see 'free Wi-Fi' and click on it, and when they do that they open themselves up to great exposure," he said. He advised that people avoid connecting to a Wi-Fi network that doesn't look right.
A hacker is not just capable of adding malicious software to traveler's devices. They may take it further and completely remove data from someone's device.
Those who use Android devices are targeted most often. Davis said, "We saw a 1,200% increase in malware targeting Android devices just in the first quarter of this year."
John said the best approach for business travelers when using public Wi-Fi is to remotely log into their employer's virtual private network, or VPN, which ensures all data received and sent from a device is encrypted.
Experts advised that business travelers should connect to their employer's network rather than an open connection, to ensure that data is encrypted. Users may also be able to use encrypted protocols by typing "https:" instead of "http:" at the beginning of URLs, but this format may not work for all sites.
Traveling internet users should also avoid sending private information like work documents and credit card information on these untrustworthy networks.
Travelers also need to be aware of risks outside of Wi-Fi connections. They need to keep a lookout for prying eyes and not make it easy for a passerby to look over their shoulders. Another risk that seems obvious to avoid is leaving devices behind. While going through security checkpoints, travelers sometimes leave their devices in security bins and forget to put them back in their bag.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
