Summer time is travel time. But that’s not all: It’s also the time when most people close their laptops and turn off their cell phones to enjoy the sun’s rays and leisure time. The British software company Sophos has provided tips for those who still don’t want to do without their technical devices on vacation. We have summarized the most important ones here.
Should I make a backup before departure?
That is advisable. Even if you watch carefully over all devices, a mobile phone or laptop can always fall down, end up in a lake or pool or be stolen. Reliable backup before departure can prevent data loss. A side effect: This also means clearing out data and drastically reducing the amount of data.
Should I encrypt my devices?
Experts also advise this. Although: Most modern cell phones, tablets or laptops are already pre-encrypted at the factory. But encryption depends on having a proper lock code that allows access to the encryption used and the corresponding keys. A long blocking code of ten or more digits is recommended, which should be rehearsed like a telephone number.
Do I need to worry about my devices when traveling abroad?
That would be an exaggeration. But many countries with border controls reserve the right as a condition of entry that users unlock devices they are carrying and allow officials to look at them. Some countries may even require a so-called forensic copy to be made. That means they copy every sector of the device, including those sectors of the hard drive that contain data that was previously erased. This can lead to delays when crossing the border. You are on the safe side if you familiarize yourself with the technical entry regulations of the respective country before booking your holiday.
Should I use public Wi-Fi on my trip?
That’s up to you. The dangers are manageable and easy to contain: surf on websites that start with https:// and use devices with good encryption. If you have to install a special digital certificate for services, you can assume that your surfing behavior can almost certainly be spied on. Even mobile data tariffs with local SIM cards are not always anonymous, because most countries require their telephone providers to have so-called legal eavesdropping options.
What if I want to take my work laptop with me on vacation?
You should first clarify this question with the employer. If they give the green light, they may also give advice or instructions for use in the relevant country. Some employers even have dedicated terms of use for work equipment abroad.
Source: Nachrichten
