10 tips for digital protection on summer vacation

The summer vacations are finally here and digital media also plays a big role for parents and children during the vacation season. For children, it's a time to play more, both offline and online, and to socialize. For parents, it's often about taking a break, planning outings and activities and finding ways to keep the whole family entertained and engaged. We tell you what to look out for to have a safe digital summer vacation.

1. pack only the essentials

When preparing for your family vacation, you should only take the devices you really need. Fewer devices mean fewer things to keep track of and protect. If something goes wrong, you'll have a secure device at home from which you can easily access your accounts and data.

2. back up and delete your data before you travel

Back up your data. Before you set off on your trip, you should back up all the data on your devices. That way, if your devices are lost or stolen, you can rest easy knowing your most recent data is safely stored.
Consider deleting data. Once you've made a backup, consider removing sensitive data from the devices you take with you when you travel. This way, even if your devices fall into the wrong hands, hackers won't have access to valuable information.
Have you never backed up your data? A quick online search with your device model and the term "How can I back up my data" will provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions.

3. protect your devices with a password

Update and back up your devices. Before your trip, make sure that all your family's devices are equipped with the latest software updates and secure passwords to protect your personal data. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This is especially important for devices used by your children as it provides additional protection. Strong passwords and 2FA make it more difficult for potential thieves or hackers to access sensitive data if the device is stolen.

4. secure your family's internet connections

Use public WiFi securely. Public WiFi can be convenient, but it is very vulnerable to hackers. Equip your family with a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection. This is especially important for children who use public Wi-Fi for games or apps.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi to access sensitive accounts such as banking or financial sites. Educate your children about the risks of accessing such accounts via unsecured networks.

5. be careful with public devices

If possible, avoid using public computers and tablets in hotels and airports. You cannot be sure who has used these public devices before you or whether viruses or malware have been installed on them. This is particularly important if you want to access sensitive accounts such as online banking, email or social media.
If you need to use a public device, you should log out of all accounts and delete your browsing history at the end of use. When you return to a secure device, you should change the passwords for all the accounts you accessed on the public device. A password manager can make this easier and help protect your family's accounts.

6. use location services with caution

Only activate location services in apps when necessary. To protect your family's privacy, you should deactivate location services in your device settings when you are not using them. The less hackers know about your location, the safer you are.
Also deactivate geotagging. Geotagging adds location data to your photos and posts and makes it easy for potential hackers to track your movements. Make sure you disable geotagging in your mobile device settings.

7. make sure you can log out from anywhere

Many hotels and vacation rentals have smart TVs pre-installed with apps for popular streaming services. This allows families to watch their favorite shows and movies while traveling by simply logging into their personal accounts. If you log in to these apps, make sure you log out before you leave. If you stay logged in, the next guest could access your account, view your personal details or even make changes or purchases through your account.

8. share vacation photos securely

If you share vacation photos online, only post them after you return. While it's tempting to share the highlights of your vacation, posting real-time updates can alert burglars that you've been away or make you vulnerable to scams during your trip. You can also post the nice vacation pictures after your return.
Do not post any pictures that show personal details such as home addresses, school names or car license plates, regardless of whether they are your own or those of other people. Even seemingly harmless details can be used by identity thieves or burglars.

Protect the identity of minors in particular. Make sure your children's faces and names remain private when posting photos online. Children are particularly vulnerable to online exploitation and sharing personal information can expose them to unnecessary risks. You should also always ask your children for permission before posting their photos. This way, they learn the importance of giving their consent and the importance of protecting their privacy.

Ask permission if you want to publish pictures that show other people or other people's children. This will respect their privacy and avoid potential conflicts or misuse of images.

9. talk to your children about digital safety on vacation

Use the precautionary measures mentioned above to teach your children about data protection and the importance of using the internet safely. For example:

Talk to your children about why it is important to keep personal data private, both on vacation and in everyday life. Explain how sharing real-time locations or detailed travel itineraries can leave them vulnerable to risks such as theft.
Set guidelines together and instill good habits. Go through app security settings together. Emphasize the importance of being careful with any personal information they share online.

By having these conversations, you will help your children understand the importance of digital safety and empower them to protect their own data effectively.

10. have fun!

Remember that digital security should not make your life more difficult or cause you to be overly vigilant. Quite the opposite: if you take the above simple measures in advance, you can really relax and rest assured that you are as well protected as possible.

We wish you a safe journey!

This text is based on the article "BIK #DigitalSunScreen summer campaign: 10 tips to protect your family online during summer travels" by Better Internet for Kids. The text was translated and revised by klicksafe. As part of the #DigitalSunScreen campaign, further content will be published in English at www.betterinternetforkids.eu during August 2024. We would like to thank Better Internet for Kids for their support.