As COVID-19 vaccination levels rise and pandemic restrictions ease, many Canadians are heading off for their summer getaways to enjoy new adventures and spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately, cybercriminals never take a vacation, so it’s important to take a few simple precautions to avoid becoming a cybercrime victim. According to RBC’s Cyber Security experts, here are three tips to help ensure you enjoy safe travels ahead:
1. Keep your travel plans to yourself
“Have a great trip … so when are you leaving again?” As exciting as it may be to plan and enjoy a holiday away, sharing your travel plans and timelines on social media platforms is generally not advisable. Posting about your upcoming two-week trip to the cottage might sound like a nice “share” with your friends, but cybercriminals regularly monitor users’ posts to find opportunities to move from the virtual world to the real – and burgle unsuspecting victims. When it comes to social media, consider saving the “Wish you were here!” for the “Wish you had been there!”
2. Beware of fraudulent booking sites
In all the excitement of planning a trip, it’s easy to miss the signs and to become a victim of a fraudulent booking site. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting travel-related sites to defraud unwary users. Consider the sites you are using: are they well-established and easy to identify and verify as legitimate? If not, take a few minutes to research them by searching for a website review. Most importantly, when it comes to payment, avoid providing your credit card details and consider using third-party payment providers that mask your details.
3. Secure your devices
On vacation or not, one of the easiest ways for criminals to scam us is to target our personal electronic devices. These devices often contain invaluable information such as passwords and banking information, as well as personal and contact information, which can help cyberscammers penetrate our security or steal our identity. Cybercriminals don’t need your physical device – just the data on your device. To defend against malware and hacks, make sure you have your operating software up to date. And, to avoid the loss of key data and valuable digital items such as photos or videos, back up your information before you go, and again periodically during your time away, for instance through a secure cloud-based storage service.
No matter where you go, or for how long, you deserve to enjoy your holidays. A few key steps can help you secure a great vacation, while keeping cybercriminals at bay.
For more information on how to stay cyber safe, visit the RBC Cyber Security Centre.
This information is not intended as nor does it constitute tax or legal advice. Readers should consult their own lawyer, accountant or other professional advisor when planning to implement a strategy. This information is not investment advice and should be used only in conjunction with a discussion with your RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Investment Advisor. This will ensure that your own circumstances have been considered properly and that action is taken on the latest available information. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time obtained but neither RBC Dominion Securities Inc. nor its employees, agents, or information suppliers can guarantee its accuracy or completeness. This report is not and under no circumstances is to be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. This report is furnished on the basis and understanding that neither RBC Dominion Securities Inc. nor its employees, agents, or information suppliers is to be under any responsibility or liability whatsoever in respect thereof. The inventories of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. may from time to time include securities mentioned herein. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license.