"Nerds To Go is trustworthy, professional, and reliable! They are prompt, courteous and are able to unravel any tech problem, while I work on the go" - Susan O
So, you Renaissance person, you’re going on work-travel with your laptop now that the world is opening up again. You’re going to fascinating places to learn about interesting people, all the while using public Wi-Fi for all that sensitive company information. Oops!
If you don’t feel quite prepared, you’re not alone. That’s why Chad Lemanski, of Nerds to Go, has some advice for those of us about to "trip the light fantastic" out of town.
“When you’re on public Wi-Fi, anyone else on the network can see a lot of what you do,” says Chad. “A VPN—or virtual private network—will help you shop online, use public Wi-Fi and surf the ’net without the world snooping over your shoulder. It’s your most important security measure.”
Otherwise, Chad explains, your information can be stolen, even passwords. And while it seems annoying that a hotel or airport doesn’t have high security, he says their primary job is to run hotels and airports, not get you a secure network.
USE A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK
The most popular VPN out there right now is Nord, Chad says. It tends to be expensive, but it’s popular. He also likes Tunnelbear, which is a little more playful. Aside from security, you can get news or local prices directly from other countries by browsing the internet as if you are there.
The third VPN he mentions is CyberGhost, which advertises that it “keeps browsing history private,” has fast speeds without limits on bandwidth, and can protect as many as seven devices on one subscription.
KEEP YOUR SYSTEM UPDATED
In addition, there are some basics that will help keep you secure wherever you are. First, make sure your software is all updated because threats are always changing. This is an easy no-brainer and there is no real excuse not to do this.
One of the best ways to keep software updated is to use the automatic update features. If you’re concerned about an update interrupting your work, set an alarm on your phone to schedule some downtime for you so you can update.
PASSCODE PROTECT DEVICES
Chad also says to passcode or password all your devices so that even if someone steals it they can’t get in.
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
What else can Chad do for you? He can make sure you have the right antivirus tools, remove malware, tune it up, and set you up with a password manager before you leave.
“With summer coming up, give us a week to get it done,” Chad says. “And always remember, if you need your tech to work, you need a nerd!”
PRACTICAL TIPS
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Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use while you’re traveling.
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Keep all your devices physically under your control and supervision.
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Put devices into airport scanners last so nobody can yank it while you’re waiting for the rest of your items.
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Use caution when posting to social media—uploading photos from Morocco tells everyone you’re not home.
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Limit who can read social media posts to friends, and if you can’t do that lock your account until you’re home.
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Buy a wallet or cross body bag with protection against proximity readers (skimming devices).