With Brits taking a whopping 71.8 million trips overseas last year and peak travel season approaching, many of us will be planning some sun, sea and sand-filled holidays for 2023.
And, while on your travels, having your phone out and ready to capture those precious moments, as well as navigating and communicating with loved ones back home becomes even more important. That’s why it’s super essential to keep your phone safe, to avoid any unwanted stress and to ensure that your holiday can go ahead without a hitch.
Here are some top tips on phone safety abroad to help you navigate your way to a hassle-free holiday:
1. Secure your phone physically
Now, this may seem like an obvious one, but it’s so easy to get whisked away in holiday bliss, soaking in the memories (and the cocktails) that keeping a close eye on your belongings isn’t always front of mind.
It’s important to be mindful of your surroundings, keeping a close eye on your phone, especially in crowded areas or tourist spots where thieves are often most active. Consider using a phone case with a strap or a secure belt clip to keep your phone close to you when navigating these spaces.
2. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks can be convenient, but they also pose security risks. It’s always best to ensure you are using the correct Wi-Fi for the venue you’re in, and you can do this by simply asking anyone who works there. This will prevent you from connecting to a network that appears to be a legitimate public Wi-Fi but is actually one that an attacker has set up to sneak malicious software (malware) into your device. Yikes!
Even if you have identified a safe public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing sensitive information, such as banking or personal accounts, while connected. If you need to use the internet, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) app such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN to encrypt your connection and protect your data from potential hackers.
3. Backup your data
Before travelling abroad, backing up all the important data on your mobile phone will ensure that you won’t lose precious memories or vital information, even if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged. Regularly backing up your data, including contacts, photos, and any other valuable information, is a good thing to do in general and is something you can set your phone up to do automatically.
Here are some simple steps to do this for Android and iPhone devices.
4. Enable remote tracking and wiping
Enabling your “Find My Device” or similar feature on your phone will allow you to track your phone’s location remotely and even wipe its data in case of loss or theft. This is handy, because if the worst does happen, your personal data will not be accessible in the hands of a thief. Knowing that you can locate or erase your phone’s content remotely can offer peace of mind while travelling.
5. Get mobile phone insurance
SO-SURE mobile insurance offers comprehensive cover that is amazing if you need it and gives you money back if you don’t. Not only does SO-SURE mobile insurance cover you for up to 90 days of global travel but it also includes cover against loss and theft, accidental damage, out-of-warranty breakdowns, unauthorised network charges up to £1,000 and more.
Getting insurance for your phone is the best way to protect it against mishaps or incidents abroad.
You can cover your phone with us here.
And if you’re super careful, you could get money back…
At SO-SURE, community = cashback rewards. Think of it as a piggy bank for careful customers. The more friends and family you connect with, the more money goes into the piggy bank. And then, if no one needs it, you all get it back. You can learn more about our Reward Pot here.