- EGPLadmin
Summer Travel Tech Tips
Looking forward to a summer escape? We've got 3 tips to protect your tech and data while you're traveling so you can enjoy the sun and sand with a few less worries.
1. Look into a roaming plan for your mobile devices instead of relying on public Wi-Fi.
If you are going abroad, it's worth noting that roaming charges are less expensive than they've been in the past. A few dollars a day will often buy you the ability to use your own data and voice plan for the time you're away. Why would you use this paid option? Public Wi-Fi is seldom encrypted, leaving any personal information available on your device vulnerable. If you need to rely on public Wi-Fi while traveling, the next best thing to do is install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service on your devices. Finally, if you use a public Wi-Fi connection, be sure to go into your device's Wi-Fi settings and forget the network when you're finished.
2. Check that your outlet adapter for international travel is compatible with your devices.
If you're traveling somewhere with a different voltage, a universal outlet converter is a must-have. However, unless your device's power adapter says 100 - 240 V, 50 - 60 Hz on it, you'll also need a voltage converter. Some devices including Apple and Samsung products are universal as per the above voltage ratings, but items like video game consoles and laptops may need voltage converters.
3. Look into RFID protection for your documents, and Faraday bags or boxes for car keys and cellphones.
RFID blocking material is becoming common in bags, wallets, passport cases and other travel products. This is a thin layer of carbon or aluminum fibre that protects your RFID (chip-enabled) devices from being scanned remotely to harvest data. RFID devices include passports and credit cards, the most important items for travel.
Faraday bags or boxes protect your electronic keys and mobile devices from being accessed or damaged by radio frequency. Similar to RFID blocking material, they prevent access to the signals in your devices. This is especially great for car theft protection, as thieves can't use the radio signal from your nearby keys to unlock and start your car remotely.
Got a great travel tech tip or story to share? We would love to hear from you in the comments. We wish you safe travels and great beach reads this summer!