Cyber Security Tip ST11-001

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Cyber Security Tip ST11-001
Holiday Traveling With Personal Internet-Enabled Devices

The internet is at our fingertips with the widespread use of
internet-enabled devices such as smart phones and tablets. When traveling
and shopping anytime, and especially during the holidays, consider the
wireless network you are using when you complete transactions on your
internet-enabled device.

Know the risks

Your smart phone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device is a full-fledged
computer. It is susceptible to risks inherent in online transactions. When
shopping, banking, or sharing personal information online, take the same
precautions with your smart phone or other internet-enabled device that you
do with your personal computer — and then some. The mobile nature of these
devices means that you should also take precautions for the physical
security of your device (see Protecting Portable Devices: Physical Security
for more information) and consider the way you are accessing the internet.

Do not use public Wi-Fi networks

Avoid using open Wi-Fi networks to conduct personal business, bank, or shop
online. Open Wi-Fi networks at places such as airports, coffee shops, and
other public locations present an opportunity for attackers to intercept
sensitive information that you would provide to complete an online
transaction.

If you simply must check your bank balance or make an online purchase while
you are traveling, turn off your device's Wi-Fi connection and use your
mobile device's cellular data internet connection instead of making the
transaction over an unsecure Wi-Fi network.

Turn off Bluetooth when not in use

Bluetooth-enabled accessories can be helpful, such as earpieces for
hands-free talking and external keyboards for ease of typing. When these
devices are not in use, turn off the Bluetooth setting on your phone. Cyber
criminals have the capability to pair with your phone's open Bluetooth
connection when you are not using it and steal personal information.

Be cautious when charging

Avoid connecting your mobile device to any computer or charging station that
you do not control, such as a charging station at an airport terminal or a
shared computer at a library. Connecting a mobile device to a computer using
a USB cable can allow software running on that computer to interact with the
phone in ways that a user may not anticipate. As a result, a malicious
computer could gain access to your sensitive data or install new software.
Don't Fall Victim to Phishing Scams If you are in the shopping mode, an
email that appears to be from a legitimate retailer might be difficult to
resist. If the deal looks too good to be true, or the link in the email or
attachment to the text seems suspicious, do not click on it!

What to do if your accounts are compromised

If you notice that one of your online accounts has been hacked, call the
bank, store, or credit card company that owns your account. Reporting fraud
in a timely manner helps minimize the impact and lessens your personal
liability. You should also change your account passwords for any online
services associated with your mobile device using a different computer that
you control. If you are the victim of identity theft, additional information
is available from http://www.idtheft.gov/.

For even more information about keeping your devices safe, read
Cybersecurity for Electronic Devices.
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Produced in 2011 by US-CERT, a government organization.

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