Stop Spyware and Identity Theft When Browsing on the Go

Keep yourself and your personal information safe by remembering these tips
December 2008
by Robin Wark

Whether you are travelling to see family and friends or just getting away from it all with a well-deserved vacation, it is important during this holiday season to be careful when computing away from home. Not everyone has good cheer in mind and this is a big time for cybercriminals and thieves to earn some more coal for their stockings. The tips below will help you keep your important information safe while enjoying your holiday travels.

For Laptop travelers:
Laptops are certainly a desirable item – especially for thieves. At 36 of the United States’ largest airports, a total of 10,278 laptops are reported missing every week, according to a Ponemon Institute study released in 2008.

Avoid using "computer" bags. Eschew the ones with the flashy and obvious computer logos for something more like a padded briefcase or a suitcase. This will make your machine less of a target.
Keep your laptop with you. Avoid setting it on the floor as it is too easy to forget about it and walk away. As well, keep an eye on your bag as it goes through security to make sure someone doesn’t pick it up by mistake.
Don't leave access numbers or passwords in the bag with your laptop. This should go without saying! Also, try to remove as much important information as possible. Key files can easily be carried on a USB thumb drive that you can keep in your pocket.
Consider security devices for your laptop. There are security cables which you can use to tether the portable PC to a heavy desk or table if you have to leave it in your hotel room. Also, there are programs that can report and track the location of your laptop if it goes missing. This software provides the location as soon as the stolen machine is connected to the Internet.
Protect yourself. At times people forget to take the same precautions with their laptops as they do their desktop models. Make sure you use spyware and virus solutions.
Keep confidential information safe. If you use your laptop for confidential business while traveling, you might consider a Virtual Privacy Network (VPN). A VPN creates an encrypted connection to the Internet. If someone is trying to watch you electronically, all they see is encrypted information. As well, Windows XP and Windows Vista allow you to encrypt files and folders.

Using public computers:
If you are not traveling with your own PC and are using ones at libraries or cyber cafes, it is a good idea to take some precautions to protect yourself and your information.

Remember to log off. It sounds too simple, but it is important to log out of every application and website. As well, use the "clear private data" option, if available, when you are done your session and clear the history and empty the cache.
If you are banking online, make sure the URL shows "https," not just "http," as this indicates the site is secure. However, it is best to make sure as much of your online banking as possible is completed before you leave.
Try to use a different user name and password for your various accounts. Some people also use a low-tech process when entering confidential information to combat keyloggers, which can steal passwords and bank account information. They enter the first letter and then click somewhere else on the page and put in some random characters. They use this strategy for the entire password. The majority of keyloggers cannot tell the difference between random typing and information being put in a specific field.

Holiday travel can be a great experience. Following these tips can help ensure you will remember your travels for what you did and not what was taken from you!