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The list of recent FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center announcements focuses on the point that today, more than ever, business and private travelers should carefully protect their sensitive and personally identifiable information everywhere travel.

The FBI warns of numerous cases in which travelers’ laptops are corrupted with hostile applications and tools when using airport and hotel Internet connections.

Even though public Wi-Fi spots appear to be exceptionally unsafe, from a computer security viewpoint, all trips are potentially risky because when you travel the chance of delicate personal and business information getting stolen or compromised grows the moment people take their smartphones and laptops outside their regular secure environment.

Bellow you can find several computer and Internet safety tips to consider before, during, and after your journey.

Prior to going anywhere

Preparing for a business trip, think of taking a virus-free, sanitized, and completely up-to-date} loaner notebook with a minimum number of software and services installed. It is better to leave you fully loaded computer at home. Having what you mostly need for the job to be done, reduces the chance of getting your primary business laptop compromised.

Before you go, perform the following actions with gadgets you take with you: notebooks, smart-phones, tablets, etc.

• Erase not necessary but very sensitive files.
• Clean the cache of all installed web browsers.
• Delete saved passwords in browsers as well in any documents.
• Safeguard your equipment with strong passwords. Consider using full disc encryption solutions.
• Backup valuable data files which will be travelling with you.
• Turn off all connections like Bluetooth, wireless, and of cause file sharing.

During your journey

When traveling for business, you should always employ the VPN service. It encrypts traffic and communications on both wireless and wire networks. When you are on the road, stick to these safety recommendations:

• Restrain from making use of kiosk PCs or any other public computers like the ones in Internet cafes.
• Keep away from the Internet network that asks to download software to for accessing it.
• Keep in mind that you should not expect any privacy while using your laptop in public places. Employ a privacy screen to stop} those close by from snooping.
• Refuse strangers who ask to temporarily to operate your digital devices.
• Reject to attach a USB or other drives to your device.
• Physically keep and control your PC and other gadgets all the time. Never leave the laptop unwatched.
• Do not hesitate to run additional virus scans. Routinely run checks for malware using your antivirus all through your trip.

Once you come back

When you return, pretend that your laptop has been compromised. Thoroughly examine your computer and other gadgets for the latest malware variants before you connect it to the office network. Avoid using USB drives or software programs obtained as presents or promo goods until they have been confirmed clean by your IT security team.