- A technology specialist has cautioned against utilizing unknown websites for arranging flight bookings.
- They similarly advised tourists to verify their smartphone plans prior to placing calls.
- EXPLORE FURTHER: Keep up-to-date with technology insights from specialist Kim Komando’s complimentary newsletter; more than 500K subscribers participate. Sign up here
Concise travel preparation list: Include an additional mobile charger, save your boarding pass on your device, and carry extra refreshments beyond what you expect to require.
I wish technical guidance was that straightforward. However, the consequences are far more severe as well.
From reservation to departure, these are five errors that can ruin your trip along with wise tips for a seamless journey.
1. Purchasing tickets from an obscure website offering an AMAZING discount
You look up airplane tickets on the internet or respond to an email. Faced with numerous websites and applications, you opt for the most affordable choice.
The website guarantees an excellent rate, prompting you to purchase the ticket. You reserve what seems like a confirmed seat and subsequently receive an email confirming everything is arranged.
You go to the airline's primary website, input your details, and instantly—there's your booked seat.
The allocated space expires after two weeks, causing your booking to vanish. Upon discovering this, you seek assistance from the airline. However, typically, they cannot offer much aid as only a reservation had been confirmed.
Thieves excel at developing counterfeit applications and websites designed to deceive you. Thankfully, there are indicators to be aware of that can assist in steering clear of such scams.
● Verify through reliable sources: The Better Business Bureau can be very helpful in assessing whether a company is legitimate. This organization maintains a list of genuine businesses; if your potential partner isn’t listed, it’s wise to proceed cautiously.
● Online reviews and ratings: Check online reviews and ratings on platforms such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Google. Be cautious with overwhelmingly positive or negative feedback, as these might not be genuine. Look instead for an equilibrium of comments and recurring patterns.
● Accreditation and Licensing: Numerous reputable travel agencies belong to well-known professional groups such as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) or hold certification from IATA (International Air Transport Association). Look for these qualifications on their website.
● Clear pricing structure: Reputable websites disclose all expenses transparently. Be cautious of platforms that conceal additional charges or fail to provide a straightforward explanation of costs.
● Safe payment methods: Reliable travel websites provide secure, widely recognized payment choices. Exercise caution with platforms that accept payments solely via bank transfer or money order.
2. Using a public charger at an airport
When your battery is running low and you have nowhere to charge, a public charging station seems like a lifesaver. However, these stations are surprisingly vulnerable to tampering.
Using merely a USB cable, a cybercriminal has the ability to install malicious software or extract information from each device that gets connected for charging purposes.
If you urgently need power for your device, you can do so safely via USB… as long as you have the correct cable. Bring along a charging-only cable on your travels. These cables are inexpensive, small, and they prevent data transmission.
If your mobile device isn’t too outdated or recent, it might prompt you with an option to ‘trust this device’ or ‘share data’ once connected. When traveling, always decline these requests!
These choices enable data exchange between your device and the charging equipment, potentially exposing you to malicious software.
Select the 'charge only' mode. If this isn't an option, continue walking.
3. Keeping AirDrop open for everyone
Keyloggers monitor everything you type, and cybercriminals often use Apple's AirDrop function to distribute these malicious tools.
Do not accept items from unknown individuals during your journey.
On your iPhone:
● Navigate to Settings > General > AirDrop.
You have the option to configure your device to decline all AirDrop requests, accept them solely from people in your contact list, or permit them from anyone. (Choosing the latter might not be wise when traveling.)
On a Mac:
● Click on the Control Center in the menu bar (represented by an icon with two sliders).
● Tap on AirDrop. Here, you have the option to enable or disable it and select whom may send content to your device.
4. Giving your cellphone to an unfamiliar person to take a photograph
My pal Mary was visiting Rome with her teenage daughter who is 14 years old.
They paused to snap some selfies when a friendly-looking stranger—a man around 30—offered to photograph them.
Mary entered her PIN, passed the phone, and the so-called Good Samaritan grabbed it and fled.
Your mobile device holds far greater value than what can be obtained from selling it outright. (Although, if you own a recent model, the resale price is quite tempting.)
Consider all the accounts linked to it: your banking services and various financial applications, along with your email inbox and confidential text messages that may contain sensitive information.
Here are several straightforward methods to safeguard yourself:
● In public settings, protect your PIN. Should you have to unlock your device around others, opt for Face ID or your thumbprint instead.
● Avoid using a simple PIN; definitely skip the four-digit ones! Opt for something lengthy that you can still recall easily.
● If you prefer not using Face ID, opt for a passcode combining both numbers and letters when this option is available on your device.
5. Neglecting to verify international data charges/services
Ouch, that sore feeling in your wallet. Before setting off for your trip by land, sea, or air, make sure to visit your mobile carrier’s website or give them a call to clarify what services you can access during your travels. You might discover restrictions such as limited coverage to particular nations, timeframes, or data caps.
Be aware of this beforehand; you won’t want to face the bill unexpectedly. Based on your needs, opting for a travel SIM or an eSIM might be more advantageous.
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