Protecting Your Data When Travelling: A Digital Security Guide

Travel Creates Specific Digital Risks

Travelling introduces a combination of digital security risks that are not present in everyday home or office life. You are connecting to unfamiliar networks, carrying devices in environments where theft is more likely, potentially crossing borders where device searches can occur, and making transactions in unfamiliar banking environments. Understanding these risks before you travel allows you to prepare effectively.

Preparing Your Devices Before You Leave

The most important digital security step before any trip is ensuring your devices are backed up. If your phone or laptop is lost or stolen during travel, you should be able to restore all your data from a backup. Store backups securely in cloud storage or on a device left at home, not just on the travelling device itself.

Update your operating system, apps, and security software to the latest versions before leaving. Updates include security patches for known vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. Do not travel with unnecessary sensitive data on your devices. If you are travelling on business, consider whether all your working files need to be on your laptop or whether they can be accessed from secure cloud storage on a need basis.

Enable full-device encryption on laptops and phones. This protects data on the device from being accessed if it is stolen. Both iOS and Android encrypt by default with a strong passcode enabled. Laptops can be encrypted using BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac). Enable remote wipe capabilities so you can remotely delete data from a lost or stolen device.

Public WiFi and VPNs

Public wifi in hotels, cafes, airports, and tourist attractions is a core part of travel connectivity but carries significant security risks. Data transmitted over unsecured public networks can be intercepted. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts all data leaving your device and is the single most effective tool for safe public wifi use.

Subscribe to a reputable paid VPN service before you travel. Free VPN services often log and sell user data, which is counterproductive. Enable the VPN before connecting to any public network and keep it active throughout your session. Some countries have restrictions on VPN use: check the legal position in your destination before relying on a VPN there.

Border Crossings and Device Searches

Border officials in many countries, including the United States, have powers to search electronic devices without a warrant. This means that data on your phone or laptop may be accessed, copied, or imaged at the border. If you are travelling on business with confidential client data, this is a significant consideration.

For high-risk travel on business, some organisations issue travel devices containing only the data needed for the specific trip, with all other data stored in cloud access rather than on the device itself. This is an extreme measure but one appropriate for some business travel contexts. For leisure travel, the practical risk is much lower, but being aware that border search powers exist is relevant for anyone travelling with sensitive personal data.

Banking and Financial Security Abroad

Notify your bank before travelling that you will be using your card abroad. Many banks temporarily block cards used in unexpected locations as a fraud prevention measure, which can leave you without access to funds at the worst possible moment.

Use ATMs attached to banks rather than standalone machines in tourist areas. Standalone ATMs in high-traffic locations are a target for card skimming devices that copy card information. Shield your PIN from view when entering it. Consider using a dedicated travel card or digital bank account for spending money, limiting the exposure of your primary bank account.

Carry some local cash for situations where card payment is not available. Do not carry more cash than you need for immediate purposes, and keep it in a secure location, ideally a money belt worn under clothing rather than in an easily accessible pocket or bag.

If a Device Is Lost or Stolen

Act immediately. Use Find My (Apple) or Find My Device (Android) to locate the device and remotely lock or wipe it. Contact your bank and freeze any banking apps on the device. Change the passwords for all accounts that were accessible on the device. Report the theft to local police for an incident report number, which you will need for insurance purposes.

Having your insurance details, emergency contacts, and key account information stored securely (not only on the lost device) is preparation that makes this process significantly less stressful. A printed copy of essential information kept in your luggage separate from your devices is a simple and effective backup.