Common travel habit is ‘not safe’ as iPhone and Android owners warn of airport mistake that is ‘so dangerous’

TRAVELING is stressful in itself, but hackers can make your trip even worse if they manage to get hold of your private data.

iPhone and Android users should think twice before connecting to airport Wi-Fi, as these insecure networks are common. target for cybercriminals.

Using public Wi-Fi puts your information at risk of falling into the wrong hands.

Cybercriminals can carry out man-in-the-middle attacks, in which they intercept data transmission.

Instead of communicating directly with the Wi-Fi hotspot, you can send your information to a hacker, who retransmits it.

This setup gives the hacker access to all the information you send over the Internet, including emails, credit card numbers, and login credentials.

Hackers can also use an insecure Wi-Fi connection to distribute malware.

If you allow file sharing over a network, the hacker can easily install a virus on your device.

In some cases, you may believe you are connecting to the airport’s Wi-Fi network when that hotspot has been set up by a hacker.

Fortunately, most airports provide the name of their network on their websites to avoid confusion.

The safest way to use your phone at the airport is to rely on cellular data – but there are other solutions for those who want to connect to Wi-Fi.

You can start by using a virtual private network (VPN) while browsing the Internet.

VPNs encrypt your Internet connection, scrambling your data and making it nearly impossible to intercept.

These tools prevent cybercriminals from getting hold of your private information if they take control of public Wi-Fi networks.

When using a public Wi-Fi network, try not to log into your sensitive accounts as you never know if a network has been compromised.

You can protect yourself by making sure your accounts have strong passwords longer than 16 characters.

An effective password must use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Stay away from names, birthdays, and other details that might be easy to guess.

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It’s also worth enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) where applicable.

MFA requires you to verify your identity using an additional factor beyond your username and password.

The most secure authentication method is biometric information, such as a fingerprint or facial scan, or one where the device itself is considered an authenticator.

Another tip is to install antivirus software, which scans your device for threats and removes them before they cause irreparable damage.

iPhones generally don’t need this due to the protections offered by Apple’s iOS, but it wouldn’t hurt to double down.

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While Android devices have built-in security characteristics like Google Play Protect, they are more vulnerable to attacks.

These differences are in the operating system itself. iOS It is generally proprietary software, meaning its developers do not share the code with the public.

Androidon the other hand, it shares its source code with application and system developers – and while this encourages innovation, it also makes devices easier to hack.

In addition to WiFi security, experts advise travelers to avoid public charging stations, which can inject malware into your device.

Travel with a portable battery if possible, and always use your own charger.

How to protect yourself from cyber attacks

Here’s what Mackenzie Tatananniscience and technology reporter for The US Sun, has this to say:

It’s important to keep security in mind whenever you browse the internet or log into your devices. Just because you have nothing to hide doesn’t mean you want strangers spying on your activity. (Yes, this includes your Internet service providers!)

I’m a big proponent of VPNs, or virtual private networks, which encrypt (or “scramble”) your data to make it nearly impossible to intercept.

I’m also a big fan of the Tor Browser, although I understand it’s not for everyone and can be difficult to navigate for first-time users. (I admit it’s not very practical either, considering most sites are not indexed on the dark web.)

I find some of the NSA tips extremely helpful and follow them personally. For example, the agency recommends installing a minimum number of apps and only those from official app stores.

In addition to saving phone storage, this is an effective security measure – most, if not all, apps will track you. While no one is truly defenseless against a malicious actor, there are small steps you can take to protect yourself.

This includes turning off location services for the apps you use (preventing geolocation) and managing other settings, including which apps have access to your photos and other data, in the Settings section of your phone.