Andrew Gertz | Senior Manager, Web and Digital Marketing, Thales
Summer is calling. Whether you’re trading your office chair for a beach lounger on a tropical island or simply enjoying a sunny day at your local coast, it’s the season to unplug, unwind, and recharge.
But here’s the catch: while you’re busy soaking up the sun, scammers aren’t taking a holiday. They’re out there, working overtime, ready to snatch your data, steal your devices, or trick you into handing over sensitive information.
Yes, summer vibes and scams don’t mix well. So, before you dive into that piña colada, let’s talk about how to keep your holiday safe and secure, both online and off.
Beware the Wi-Fi Trap, It’s Not Just Hot Air
Free Wi-Fi on the beach? Tempting. But it can be a digital minefield. Open, unsecured networks are a favorite playground for cyber crooks. Imagine this: you connect to the “SunnyBeachFreeWiFi,” check your email, maybe make an online purchase, and bam, the scammer in the middle is quietly grabbing your passwords.
But how do you avoid this without leaving the pool? Use a VPN. It’s your encrypted tunnel to the internet, shielding your data from prying eyes. If a VPN sounds too techy, stick to your mobile data for sensitive transactions. When in doubt, wait till you’re back on a trusted network before logging in to banking apps or entering passwords.
Activate MFA Everywhere; It’s Your Digital Sunscreen
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is like sunscreen for your online accounts. You wouldn’t head to the beach without SPF, right? MFA adds an extra layer of defense. Even if a scammer steals your password, they’d still need your phone or fingerprint to get in.
Make it a habit to enable MFA on all your important accounts: email, social media, banking, and shopping sites. Yes, it might take a minute longer to log in, but that tiny pause could save you hours, days, or even dollars from cleanup after a breach.
And if you are looking for SPF50 protection for your accounts, we strongly recommend creating passkeys for all supported platforms (there are more and more every day).
Don’t Let Your Phone Go Rogue, Keep It Close, Keep It Safe
Your phone is your lifeline on holiday: photos, maps, music, and even boarding passes. Losing it on the beach or in a buzzing bar can turn a great day sour. It’s not just the photos stored therein. Your phone is your access to your online documents – personal and business – through the mobile authenticator you have installed.
Use a waterproof pouch with a neck strap or keep your phone zipped inside a secure pocket or bag. Avoid leaving it unattended, even for a second. Thieves love crowds and distractions, and a beach towel makes a surprisingly good hiding spot for their loot.
If your phone supports it, enable remote tracking and wiping. If it goes missing, you can find it or at least erase your private data before it falls into the wrong hands.
Stranger Danger Isn’t Just for Kids
Summer means more socializing: new friends and new experiences. But be cautious about oversharing. Chatty strangers or even well-meaning acquaintances can sometimes turn out to be data miners or worse.
Avoid broadcasting your travel plans or personal details loudly in public. Wait until you’re safely offline or with trusted company before posting about your exact location or holiday itinerary on social media. Oversharing is an open invitation for burglars to swoop in while you’re away.
Beware the “Too Good to Be True” Deals
Holiday markets, beach stalls, pop-up shops... they all offer great souvenirs and fun finds. But scammers are skilled at using summer’s relaxed pace to slip in fake deals or counterfeit goods.
If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always inspect purchases carefully. And when buying tickets, be it for tours, events, or transport, use official vendors or reputable sources. Digital scams also spike in summer; beware of emails promising “exclusive summer discounts” or “urgent travel updates” that ask for your credit card details.
Scams often prey on distraction. You’re relaxed; your guard is down. If something feels off, such as a strange email, a pushy street vendor, an unexpected app request, pause. Verify before you act. Vigilance is essential as bad bots are targeting the travel industry with bad actors aiming to destroy your vacation.
Backup Your Memories Before You Hit the Surf
No one wants to lose vacation photos, contacts, or important documents. Phones get wet, dropped, or stolen. Before you leave, back up everything (photos, contacts, important apps) to the cloud or an external drive. This way, even if disaster strikes, your memories stay safe.
By the way, before you lock the office door, make sure that your backups are running and your data protections are up-to-date. Your business data remains a target when you are not around.
Physical Documents, Handle With Care
In your rush to pack sunscreen and swimwear, passports, IDs, and travel tickets can get lost or stolen. Carry copies, both digital and physical, stored separately from the originals. Use hotel safes or secure lockers whenever possible.
A lost passport on holiday is a headache you don’t want. Having backups can speed up the recovery and get you back on track faster.
Password Hygiene. Keep It Fresh, Keep It Strong
We all love the convenience of autofill and “remember me” buttons. But on holiday devices, especially shared or public ones, this can be a security nightmare.
If you must use public or borrowed devices, avoid logging into sensitive accounts. If you do, clear browser history and cookies, and log out fully when you’re done. Also, use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords. This summer, make “password123” a thing of the past.
The Bottom Line: Enjoy the Sun Safely
Summer is for laughter, relaxation, and adventure. But scams don’t take breaks. A few smart habits can protect your digital life and your physical belongings without cramping your style.
Think of it like sunscreen: a little prep goes a long way. So go ahead, dip your toes in the sea, sip that cocktail, and catch some rays, but keep your wits about you. Because the only thing you want to be this summer is tanned, not scammed.
Safe travels, and stay secure out there.