Before you set off to your holiday vacation spot of choice, ready to eat delicious food and soak up some sun, you should first feel confident about managing your finances in an unfamiliar location.
The same goes for anyone about to sit down, do some online shopping, and check items off of everyone’s Christmas lists.
In an age when commerce is shifting online, and ransomware and phishing attacks are growing ever more prevalent, there’s no sense in taking chances with your financial information. Follow these best practices to make sure every mobile tap payment and online banking transaction goes through exactly as you expect.
Don’t Veer From a VPN
You make use of a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, to connect anonymously to the Internet and safeguard your privacy. A VPN secures your WiFi connection in a number of ingenious ways so you can have peace of mind while conducting online business. Here are three examples.
- They encrypt your data so cybercriminals targeting public WiFi hotspots can’t read it
- They connect you to the Internet through servers in faraway countries, thus making it harder to determine your exact location
- They assign you a different IP address when you browse so no one can track the websites you visit
When you sign up for a VPN, it’s a cinch to transfer money between accounts, or finalize that online order to your hotel, because you can be sure your information is secured from the first click to the last.
Level Up Your Antivirus Protection
Antivirus software that offers complete endpoint visibility and 24/7 cloud-based protection makes for the perfect complement to your favorite VPN. Providers like Malwarebytes that offer both products and enjoy widespread industry praise are a great pool to start your search.
Also make sure your provider can reinforce your laptop as well as your cell phone so neither falls prey to malware and a potential data breach. You want your devices to be at your service, whether you’re banking on the go, or shopping on the couch with a glass of wine after the kids are fast asleep.
Prudence in Public
While the latest antivirus software can help you keep hackers at bay through proactive threat monitoring and anti-exploit technology, it’s not a replacement for good old common sense.
If you’re making an online purchase in a crowded place, ensure your screen isn’t visible to strangers before moving forward. If you leave your device unattended in the middle of a transaction, all it takes is a quick screenshot to put your identity and banking details at risk.
Travellers also frequently allow password protection to fall by the wayside. Instead of memorizing passwords, or writing them down and possibly misplacing them, let password manager software do the heavy lifting for you and free your mind to focus on your well-earned Christmas break.
You’ve worked hard this year, and now it’s almost time to kick back and be merry with those you love the most. Whether that’s on an island, or cozied up at home, find yourself a reputable VPN and antivirus software provider so you can enjoy safe access to online banking to fund the holiday you deserve.
