All iPhone and Android users warned of four hidden dangers when using devices on holiday
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned not fall victim to cyber thieves on their travels this summer.
While pickpockets might be the first thing you think of in terms of crime on holiday, hackers are also on the look out.
"Flight cancellations aren’t the only thing you should be wary of when preparing for your next holiday," cyber-protection firm Panda Security warned.
"Travellers shouldn’t just be worried about pick-pockets on their next vacation but should also be wary of their cyber security."
There are four things to be aware of when using your devices on holiday.
These apply whether you're using an iPhone or an Android handset.
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Using free Wi-Fi
Roaming bills can be extremely expensive so it's no surprise people turn to free public Wi-Fi.
These days it's widely available at restaurants, the airport and hotels.
But be very careful – it's fraught with risk.
"Hackers have ways to monitor the traffic that comes in and out of public Wi-Fi networks," said Panda Security.
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"The traffic can include everything, such as personal passwords and social security numbers.
"So, if you plan on using public Wi-Fi, keep in mind that anything you are sharing on your smartphone while connected to the network might be something you are unintentionally communicating to a third party."
You might want to consider using a VPN app, as this encrypts your activity so hackers can't see what you're doing.
Social media
Of course you need snaps of your big trip - and many will want to share them on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
However, think about who you are sharing these photos to, especially if your profile page is open.
"Sharing your location could point out to troublemakers that you’re away from home," Panda Security explained.
"Burglary is on the rise on the UK and the more you share on social media the more information you put out into the world for people to take advantage of."
Consider only uploading photos and videos once you're home.
Find my device
Losing your phone at home is bad enough.
But losing it on holiday is even more of a headache.
Thankfully there's an Apple feature that can track down a lost iPhone even if it's switched off.
"Making sure you can find your device if things go sideways is an essential," said Panda Security.
"Turn on features such as iOS ‘Find My’ to be able to track your device in case of an incident or especially if you want to share your location with your friends and family."
Public access PCs
Public PCs are sometimes available in hotels and airports should you need to get online that way.
However, this always comes with risk, so use these machines with caution.
"Travellers should think twice before typing in sensitive information or connecting smart devices of USB sticks to a public PC," Panda Security warned.
"Hackers have the power to log all the information you enter and infect your connected device with."
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The cyber-experts added: "As we’re all returning to travel, utilise these tips and tricks to be more prepared for your upcoming summer holiday.
"Updating your apps and OS to ensure your data is backed up safely to ensure all your images are safe and sound in case anything is lost and broken in a holiday."
iPhone tricks to try today
Here are some of the best...
- Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily
- Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs
- Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete
- Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen (or swipe left to right on an iPhone X or later model), then tap in the bar and type a currency (like $200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency
- Check if you're due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you're down to 80% capacity. If you're below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple
- Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier