As the festive season approaches, Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, and LIFT, a South African airline, offer a traveller’s guide to help travellers enjoy a safe and enjoyable holiday while recharging and getting away from routine.
Brandon Muller, technical expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky, stresses the importance of vigilance highlighting that preparation is key to a stress-free holiday experience.
“Regardless of your plans during the festive break, you should always be alert against potential online threats,” he says.
Be careful of special offers
Muller explains that a fundamental rule of thumb when searching for travel deals is: if an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. He also reveals that cybercriminals are adept at impersonating legitimate airlines, hotels, and booking systems to lure unsuspecting travellers to fraudulent websites. To safeguard your plans, he recommends vigilance when browsing for deals online.
Always verify the URLs of websites and email addresses before entering sensitive information. Rather than clicking on dubious links in emails, look for accommodation via trusted platforms. Using recognised cybersecurity solutions adds another layer of protection against potential scams.
Book with reputable travel agencies
He also advises securing your travel arrangements; using a recognised travel agency or the official website of an airline is vital. Fraudsters often masquerade as credible agencies, promoting enticing deals that could lead to difficulties down the line. Cilliers Jordaan, chief commercial officer of LIFT, advises customers to exercise due diligence in these situations.
“We see quite a lot of bookings coming through foreign online travel agencies, which often market cheap flights. However, the Terms and Conditions typically associated with those tickets are not always clear. Understanding terms regarding refunds is paramount,” he explains.
“We strongly advise travellers to use reputable, well-known online travel agencies or to book directly through the airline’s website.”
In addition, Muller suggests implementing strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for travel booking accounts — measures that significantly improve the security of personal and financial data.
Keep your information private
Once your holiday begins, maintaining the same level of vigilance with personal information is crucial. Be cautious when sharing sensitive details; never divulge reservation numbers or post images of tickets that expose barcodes or your passenger name record on social media. Waiting until your return to share holiday memories online can greatly reduce risks. Cybercriminals often monitor social feeds and can easily identify when someone is away from home.
Protect your devices
Always protect your devices, be it your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, with strong passwords or biometric authentication. Furthermore, installing reliable antivirus software that includes protection against online fraud and phishing is essential. Kaspersky Premium can notify users of risky sites to avoid, offering peace of mind when browsing or making transactions.
Be careful of public Wi-Fi
Using public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, or restaurants can expose users to data theft risks. It is further advised that if you must share sensitive information while connected to public networks, always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to ensure that your connection is encrypted. Additionally, consider downloading offline maps to avoid relying on public Wi-Fi for travel navigation.
The Star