With the exponential increase in technology (and criminal technology) in the last 5-10 years, you must keep your personal information as confidential as possible with regards to social media, online shopping, and overall online activity. In today’s technology and social media-driven society, there has become a much more relevant threat to identify theft.
When it comes to traveling, it can become a little more challenging because of potential malicious people abroad trying to take advantage of apparent tourists in that country. Cell phones, credit cards, passports, and driver’s licenses, and any important personal information could all possibly be at risk if the proper precautions are not taken.
IMAGE: PEXELS
Get A Faraday Bag
Billfodl’s faraday bag is the perfect portable handheld for your wallet, passport, electronics, or any other important debit or credit cards that you are traveling with. Not only is it neat storage for your essential documents, but it also stops all electronics inside from receiving radio, wifi, Bluetooth, infrared (for key fobs), and GPS.
Additionally, it shields your wallet from remote tampering via Bluetooth, which, unfortunately, in this new age, is a standard method of identity fraud credit and debit card theft. The faraday bag comes in a smaller and larger size; the larger can hold a tablet or laptop as well as the rest of your essential things. For more information about this advantageous product, go to https://billfodl.com/products/faraday-bag-bundle
Identity Theft Insurance
What Is It And What Does It Cover?
Identity theft insurance is designed to cover some or most of the costs related to identity fraud. It reimburses the victim’s expenses of repairing their financial identities and credit reports. These policies will often provide specialists who will guide and help the victims restore their identity back to normal. Other services identity theft insurance includes:
- Lost wages
- Mailing documents
- Childcare costs
- Copies of your credit report
- Notary fee
- Even long-distance phone calls!
How Do I Get It?
If you, unfortunately, find yourself in a dilemma, rightfully reclaiming your lost value can be a slow-moving and costly process. This is where identity theft insurance comes to the rescue! There are a few options if you decide you want this insurance.
- Examine your homeowner’s or renters insurance policy to see if it’s already included
- Add it to your renters/homeowners insurance
- Buy it as a stand-alone policy
Like most policies, this insurance has benefit limits and deductibles. For example, if your benefit limit is at $15,000 and your identity theft ends up costing you $25,000, you would be responsible for paying the difference. A deductible means that you pay an initial fee of $100-$500 before the insurance kicks in. Learn more about identity theft insurance here.
Use A VPN (Virtual Private Network)
What Is A VPN?
Whenever you go to a website, it goes directly through the internet service provider (ISP). All internet traffic directly passes through your ISP’s servers, meaning they can watch and log everything you do online. All of this information could be handed to advertisers, government agencies, and other third parties.
This is where the VPN comes in handy! The VPN directs all of your internet traffic through a privately configured remote server. This will hide your IP address and encrypt all of the data that you send and receive. To any advertiser, government agency, or anybody who intercepts it will just look like impossible to read gibberish.
Keep It Strong!
With the exponentially increasing digital criminal activity in the world today, it’s crucial to have strong passwords for your online accounts. Most websites, when creating passwords, will strongly recommend (sometimes require) you to include a capital letter, at least one number, and one unique character in your password.
Should I Use The Same Password For Everything?
Absolutely not! Using one password for all of your accounts is like using the same key to start your car, open your home, open your office, and your personal vault! Using different (yet strong) passwords for all of your accounts will ensure the safety of your information and definitely keep your identity much safer.
Example Password
Username: joesmith68
Password: GoshiloveSwimming87%%
Note the use of the capital letter, the numbers, and the special characters used. As always, the longer the password, the better. But an even better option is to use a password manager like lastpass to create totally random passwords that have no common words in them; For example, a password like “Dhu&83ieIDFo93”;p[f0)9fd9)”.
Avoid Unsecure Public Wifi Networks
When you see an open, unsecured wi-fi on your phone, you might think, “Score! Free wifi!” However, it’s not as safe as you may think. Especially when you are traveling far from home in a foreign country. It’s always best to be connected to a secure wifi network that is password-protected (which most are, in well-known establishments). Potential disadvantages/dangers of using an insecure wifi network include:
- Interception of log-in credentials
- General data interception (texts, emails, etc.)
- Spreading of viruses to those connected
- Shared illegal use of network
It’s essential to be aware of every internet and wifi connection you have, especially when traveling. The typical tourist in foreign countries often become the victim of virtual and digital crime.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the tools you need to keep your identity and information safe while traveling abroad, you are ready to go explore the world! As important as it is to watch out for yourself, your identity, and personal information, it’s just as important to enjoy yourself as you fill your memories with countless and priceless experiences of the world. But don’t forget!
- The Faraday bag is fantastic for your identity’s safety
- Always use a VPN when using the internet
- Identity Theft insurance is a worthwhile investment (especially while traveling)
- Make sure to use strong and different passwords for all of your accounts
If you remember all of these things, you will be worry-free from identity/information theft while you are traveling abroad.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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