The summer holidays are about to start and you would like to book your well-deserved holiday. Make sure that you don’t end up in a cyber trap though!
The Check Point security company has published statistics indicating an alarming rise in new domains related to holidays or breaks. Almost 30.000 such new domains were registered in May 2023. This corresponds to a 25% increased compared to the same period last year. Some 360 of these websites were malicious or suspect. In addition, several phishing campaigns on this theme have been discovered.
Here some tips on how to book your holidays without jeopardising your online security:
- Use trustworthy websites: Only book your holidays on well-known and established travel websites or directly via the official website of a hotel or airline. Make sure the website is secure and makes use of an encrypted connection (which can be identified from a lock symbol in the address bar).
- Check reviews and information: Read reviews by other travellers to ensure accommodations or resorts are reputable and trustworthy. Pay attention to booking conditions, cancellation policies and any potential hidden costs.
- Beware of offers which sound too good to be true: Remain sceptical of extremely inexpensive offers or unexpected prize notifications. These could be fraudulent and serve to steal your personal data. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it might not just be genuine.
- Use a safe payment method: When booking, use a safe payment method, such as payment on account.
- Remain cautious about sharing personal information: Only disclose information which is absolutely required and never share sensitive data such as passwords via unsafe channels. Be wary of suspicious e-mails or phone calls asking you for personal information.
- Use secure networks: Avoid booking your holidays via public Wi-Fi networks, as these could provide insufficient security. Use a personal network or a VPN connection instead to protect your data.
- Protect your devices: Make sure your devices are well protected by consulting our “5 steps for your digital security”.
