Technology has become an indispensable aspect of our lives, especially on the go. Most people wouldn’t even take a short walk without their smartphones. Access to your technology when needed on a trip is crucial to avoid any potential inconvenience.
Carrying out a few pre-travel checks is advisable to ensure a seamless and secure travel experience. Our tech travel guide will help you sidestep typical problems such as missing devices, overlooked chargers, or information security threats. Pack smart and travel with peace of mind.
1. Check Your Apps
Have you ever experienced the surprise of arriving at a deserted airport gate? Later, you discover that your flight gate has changed, leaving you little time to reach the new location.
Chances are, other travellers were informed of the gate change through notifications on their airline app. Download and update relevant travel apps before your trip to avoid such scenarios. It’s best to do this when you have access to a stable Wi-Fi connection rather than waiting until you’re at the airport, where connectivity may be an issue.
Here are some of the apps you should consider downloading or updating before your trip:
- Airline app
- Train app
- Hotel app
- Theme park app
- Campground app
- Weather app
- City tourism app
2. Check Your Cords & Adapters
Leaving behind chargers and adapters has become common, leading to a cluster of such items at airports, restaurants, and train stations worldwide. Carrying a backup charger for your laptop, tablet, or phone is advisable to avoid such an inconvenience. This way, you won’t have to pay exorbitant prices for a new charger at a gift shop or risk your device running out of power without a replacement. Bring a backup charger to stay connected and powered up during your travels.
3. Check Your Power
To avoid power outages, consider investing in a compact charging battery. These can be purchased from most major retailers or online. They come in compact “blocks” that store power and can quickly charge your cell phone in an emergency.
In addition to ensuring you have power when needed, a portable charging battery can protect you from the threat of juice jacking. These are fraudulent or compromised public USB charging ports that hackers use to steal your data. With a backup charging battery, you can charge your devices safely without the risk of data theft.
4. Check Your Mobile Plan
When travelling abroad, verifying your mobile plan’s capabilities is essential. If your plan does not include international calling, you may be unable to text or call home.
Your carrier may offer the option to add international capabilities to your plan, but be aware of the associated costs. They can become expensive if you make long calls or use mobile data. An alternative solution is to set up a VoIP app to communicate with your office, friends, or family while travelling. These apps support both calls and SMS but require an internet connection.
5. Check or Add a VPN
While free Wi-Fi may seem convenient when travelling, it can pose a security risk. Public Wi-Fi networks can be used by anyone, including hackers who can steal your data if you’re not protected.
Consider using your mobile carrier connection or a virtual private network (VPN) app for safer and more secure internet access. VPNs offer affordable plans that encrypt your data even when on public Wi-Fi, providing an extra layer of security for sensitive information.
6. Check Your Backup
Travelling can bring about unexpected accidents, such as leaving your phone behind, losing your luggage, or having your device stolen in a crowded area.
Notably, 10% of all laptop thefts occur in airports.
To protect your valuable information, back up your devices to the cloud or local storage before you travel. This ensures that you won’t lose all your data with the device, and you can quickly and easily enact a remote “wipe my device” command if needed.
7. Check Your Device Security
Keep your devices secure by preparing them before your trip. With travel distractions, you may not remember to check your antivirus or watch out for suspicious phishing links.
To ensure the safety of your devices, consider implementing the following measures:
- Antivirus/anti-malware software
- DNS filtering
- Screen lock with a strong passcode
- Turning off sharing features
- Using a VPN app
- Activating the “Find My Device” feature
8. Check Your Double-Checks
The term “double-checking” refers to using a secondary method to verify the status of your devices. When travelling with others, take turns confirming that everyone has all their devices.
If travelling solo, consider having a trusted friend or family member check in via text. They can ask if you have your charger, if your VPN is enabled, and so on.
Such small reminders can help prevent unpleasant digital experiences during travel.
Improve the Security of Your Devices Now
Don’t leave your digital assets vulnerable to potential threats. Unsecured devices can lead to compromised bank accounts or private information. To minimize your risk, contact Qamba for effective device security solutions.
