Free Wi Fi, cheap train tickets? Security traps during the journey

        During winter and summer vacations, the airport is always bustling with people. Some people plan to go shopping in Japan, some plan to go to Korea to chase stars, and some choose to fly to Europe and America to relax, but they overlook the "clues" in the eyes of those who care about it, from booking tickets and rooms before departure, to connecting to the internet during the journey, and even discarding luggage tags, which can cast a shadow on a happy vacation. This issue of "Information Network" will dismantle the security traps lurking in your journey one by one.

                Booking platform: Fake is even more real than real

        Before traveling, many people will book rooms or purchase travel tickets online. Most people are accustomed to opening search engines and entering keywords to start comparing prices, which is also the most common place where scammers strike. Many fake websites will deliberately buy advertising keywords, or create pages that are almost identical to those of well-known tourism platforms, so that people can accidentally enter credit card numbers and personal information. More advanced scams may even use social media to promote "limited time discounted tickets" and guide consumers to place orders on third-party fake platforms. The money was paid, but the order did not exist. A colleague once saw a link to a cheap train ticket on social media, clicked on it to make payment, and then found out that even the customer service phone number couldn't be reached. Although I successfully applied for a refund from the bank in the end, the process was time-consuming and labor-intensive, and I had to worry about whether my personal information would be leaked. This type of case once again reminds us that booking rooms and buying tickets must be operated through official or trusted platforms. Do not let fake websites disrupt the entire journey due to greed for small discounts.

        Luggage tag: small paper card, large opening

        Many people's first thing after getting off the plane is to tear off their luggage tags and throw them away casually, unaware that this action may cause unexpected risks. Because luggage tags usually have names, flight numbers, and even booking codes printed on them, if someone finds them, they may use them for fraudulent applications or scams. International airline employees remind that many cases of counterfeit claims are caused by people submitting false information based on the tags and personal information lost by passengers, resulting in delayed claims for passengers who have actually lost their luggage. From this, it can be seen that even a small paper card can become a fraudster's' golden key '. It's best to wait until you get home before tearing up the hang tag, and make sure to shred or cover the information before discarding it to ensure safety.

        Travel documents: More important than luggage

        In addition to luggage tags, boarding passes and booking confirmations also need to be carefully protected. Many people are accustomed to leaving documents on their seats or tables after checking out of a plane or hotel. But the barcode and QR code on the boarding pass may contain names, flight information, membership numbers, and even booking records. Once the information leaks, it can also be used for identity forgery or fraud. Therefore, it is best to take them home and shred them, or use a shredder to destroy them. Just like protecting credit card statements, treating these seemingly 'useless papers' as confidential information is necessary to avoid unnecessary risks.

        Public Wi Fi: Invisible eavesdroppers

        Free Wi Fi is one of the most popular services during travel. Many travelers rely on the free internet provided locally due to data limitations or high fees for international roaming. Whether waiting at the airport, waiting for a train at a station, or resting in a caf é, habitually connecting to "Free Wi Fi" to browse messages and check information seems to have become a daily part of travel. However, most public Wi Fi lacks encryption, and the transmitted data is easily intercepted. It's like an unscrupulous person sitting next to you, watching coldly as you enter your account, password, and even credit card information. The safest approach is to avoid sensitive operations such as shopping, payment, and logging into the company mailbox through public Wi Fi. If necessary, at least turn off the automatic file sharing function of the device to reduce the risk of data interception.

        Security Checklist before and after departure

        Although there are many hidden traps during the travel process, as long as you cultivate the following four good habits, you can set up an extra line of defense for yourself.

        1. Before leaving, please confirm whether the website for booking and booking is correct to avoid placing orders through unfamiliar links. You can also activate the bank's SMS notification to check for any abnormalities in card swiping as soon as possible.

        2. Avoid using public Wi Fi to process sensitive information during travel.

        3. Luggage tags and boarding passes should be properly stored and destroyed upon returning home.

        4. Check credit card statements and emails, and immediately report any suspicious transactions or notifications to the bank or customer service.

        The above steps may seem simple, but they can significantly reduce security risks.

        Have fun, but also have peace of mind

        Traveling is meant to relax and broaden our horizons, but in an era where information is ubiquitous, every little action leaves a footprint. Discarded tags, cheap links clicked, and accidentally connecting to public Wi Fi can all become our security vulnerabilities. Looking at it from a different perspective, cybersecurity awareness is like insurance on the road, perhaps never needed, only to understand its importance once problems arise. I hope that when planning your next trip, in addition to the itinerary and food, you can also include these simple security habits in your list, so that you can have fun and peace of mind.

        *Image source: freepik

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