Durban — With the holiday season imminent and South Africans preparing for their year-end holiday travel, cybersecurity experts have warned that excitement over holiday planning should not overshadow digital safety.

According to Fortinet (cybersecurity specialists) regional director Doros Hadjizenonos, travellers should be vigilant about their cyber hygiene when they are away from home.

“Whether South Africans are heading to local destinations like Cape Town or Durban, or travelling internationally, connecting to unfamiliar networks poses significant risks,” Hadjizenonos said.

“Every time your device connects to a new network - whether at a hotel, coffee shop, or airport - you're potentially exposing yourself to cyber threats.”

Hadjizenonos explained that devices like laptops and smartphones, known as endpoints, are particularly vulnerable when travelling.

“If your device gets infected while you're on holiday, you risk bringing that infection back to your home or corporate network, potentially compromising not just your data but your employer's entire system.”

Hadjizenonos offers several crucial cybersecurity recommendations to help South African travellers stay safe:

1. Keep your systems updated

“Before you leave for your holiday, ensure all your devices are fully updated,” Hadjizenonos advised.

“When you see update notifications for your apps, don't ignore them - they often contain critical security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.”

2. Be careful with public Wi-Fi

“While it might be tempting to connect to free Wi-Fi at places like airports or shopping malls, this poses significant risks”, Hadjizenonos warned.

However, he recommended using mobile data when possible or purchasing a local SIM card for internet access. If need be, people can consider taking a portable Wi-Fi router for secure connections.

Unless necessary, it is also a good idea to avoid your online banking or making sensitive transactions on public networks, he said.

3. Protect your devices

Hadjizenonos emphasised the importance of physical device security.

“Never leave devices unattended in public spaces and keep your devices password-protected with complex passwords. Travellers should also consider using a password manager for better security and rather encrypt their device data in case of theft or loss.”

4. Be wary of QR codes

“While QR codes have become common in South African restaurants and shops, they can pose security risks,” Hadjizenonos said.

“When scanning QR codes, be cautious of where they redirect you, as compromised websites could download malicious files to your device.”

5. Social media safety

With many South Africans sharing their holiday experiences on social media, Hadjizenonos advised avoiding using social media accounts to log into public Wi-Fi services.

“Consider creating separate travel accounts for necessary logins and be careful about sharing real-time location information. Don’t post sensitive travel documents or boarding passes.”

Hadjizenonos also offered tips for South Africans travelling for business:

Never share your work devices with others, even briefly.
Avoid connecting unknown USB devices to your computer.
Do not download unofficial apps or software while travelling.
Keep work-related activities on secure and private networks.

“For South African businesses, it’s crucial to have clear policies about device usage during travel,” Hadjizenonos said.

“This includes ensuring all devices are encrypted, implementing strict update policies, and having an incident response plan in case of device theft or loss.”

Concluding, Hadjizenonos said the key to safe travel is preparation.

“Just as you would check your passport and travel insurance before a trip, making sure your cybersecurity measures are in place should be an essential part of your travel planning.”

Whether travelling for business or pleasure, staying cyber-secure should be a priority for all South African travellers, he said.

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