Stay Cyber-Safe
This Summer

As summer travel ramps up, protecting your devices from cyber threats is crucial. You can enjoy your summer travels while keeping your digital life secure with proactive measures. Remember: a little preparation goes a long way!

Travel Security Tips

Before You Pack: Prepare Your Digital Travel Kit

Bring only essential devices to reduce risk.
Update all devices and apps for the latest security patches.
Enable strong locks (PINs, biometrics) and activate "Find My Device" features.
Review app privacy settings and back up important data.
Use a privacy screen protector, a simple and inexpensive way to protect against shoulder surfing.

On the Road: Stay Smart While Exploring

Be cautious about location sharing and avoid posting real-time updates on social media.
Don’t access sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi; use your phone's hotspot or a VPN instead.
Keep devices secure and turn off auto-connect for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Log out of accounts on public computers.

Welcome Home: Post-Travel Security Hygiene

Review account activity for suspicious activity after your trip.
Remove travel-specific apps that are no longer needed.
Conduct a quick security audit of your devices.

Travel smart, stay secure, and enjoy your summer adventures!

Quick Checklist:

√ Update devices and enable automatic updates
√ Use strong locks and "Find My" features
√ Limit location sharing
√ Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities
√ Keep devices secure
√ Review accounts upon return
√ Remove unused travel apps

Additional Resources

The State Department provides comprehensive travel safety information for international travelers:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html.

Rice University's Office of Research Security also offers valuable guidance for international travel:

https://research.rice.edu/international-travel

https://global.rice.edu/faculty-resources/international-travel/

Remember: A few minutes of preparation can prevent hours of recovery from a cybersecurity incident. Stay as watchful as an owl, and your summer adventures will be both memorable and secure.

For more cybersecurity tips and resources, visit the Information Security Office's website at https://iso.rice.edu.

Best wishes for a happy (and secure) summer!

Christopher Freeman

Information Security Awareness Program Manager

Rice Information Security Office

christopher.freeman@rice.edu