Summer is the time for relaxing. After the long months of waking up early, making school lunches, sitting in carlines, and struggling through homework, it is time to get away. And whether ‘getting away’ for your family is going across the country or staying right here in Naples, it is important that you do it in the safest way possible. Nowadays, technology is everywhere, and is almost impossible to get away from, especially when it comes to the kids. It is super important to make sure you and your family understand the consequences of using technology while traveling (or just in general).
Pat Crave, the director of the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, answered some questions for Neapolitan Family about internet safety while traveling.
What are your top tips for Internet safety while traveling?
• Don’t post pictures on social media of your vacation while you are still on the trip. This could alert thieves that your home is unattended. (You don’t stop the mail and newspaper for the same reason.)
• Don’t connect to unsecure wi-fi at your hotel or during your travel. If you don’t have to enter a password, or the password is generic and the same for everyone, it isn’t secure. If you do have to connect, don’t do any sensitive transactions like check bank accounts, etc.
• Bring your own phone chargers and cords. Don’t use those free stations (with their cords) that you find in public places. You don’t know what that cord is really connected to behind the kiosk. Plug into a wall plug like you would normally do.
Turn off Bluetooth and wi-fi connections on your devices when you are not using them. This will limit hackers’ ability to connect to your device without you even knowing it (good advice all the time, not just traveling.)
How can we make parents more aware of the dangers?
Most parents are intimidated by technology today. It is all new to us and we can’t keep up with the constant changes. Instead of embarrassing ourselves with “stupid” questions to our children, we go along with what they are doing and saying without doing any homework on our own. What parent hasn’t asked their child for help with a phone or computer? We live with the belief that our child won’t do anything dangerous or stupid online. But their definition of dangerous is different than ours. They grew up chatting with strangers online, giving out personal information to online friends and downloading the latest apps. All things we were raised to never do. Their trust level is high and suspicions are low.
Parents need to be involved in what their child is doing on- line. They need to have conversations and ask questions. I’m not saying you have to interrogate them but be involved. Help them understand the dangers that exist online and help them learn how to make good decision. On our website www.SafeAndSecureOn- line.org/parents you will find videos and tip sheets to help parents with these exact issues.
With many apps, like SnapChat, locations services are turned on, and most people don’t even realize it. Why is this dangerous? This is an issue with most apps and with phones themselves. We all need to go through our devices on a regular basis and turn off the unnecessary tracking and notification settings on our phones and apps. Did you know there is a tracking device or geo-tagging on your phone’s camera? It not only takes a picture but marks exactly where it was taken. So, when you post it online someone can figure out where you are or where you live, all hidden in a photo. The danger of tracking is just that – you are giving away personal information that isn’t necessary. There is no need for strangers to have all that information. It can lead to stalking, harassment, bullying, or worse.
What should people know before using public wi-fi?
You should avoid using public wi-fi if possible. That includes ones at your hotel and local coffee shop unless you know it is se- cure. If you don’t have to put in a password or it asks for a generic password like “hotelguest,” then it is not secure. If you are given a unique password when checking into the hotel, you are more likely to be on a secure network. Often that password will be your last name and room number that no one else would know. Don’t hesitate to ask at the desk about their security.
Don’t be fooled by the name that comes up on the wi-fi. When setting up a wi-fi connection you can name it anything you want. So just because it says your hotel name, your favorite coffee shop or call “Secure Wi-fi”, doesn’t mean that it is their trusted site.
Pat Crave’s best (and most effective tip) is also the most simple, yet hardest for many of us, to carry out.
Remember you are on vacation…UNPLUG! Get off the grid for a few days and enjoy your time together. Make memories that you can post about later when you get home. Your friends (and work) will all still be there when you get home.