Keeping gadgets safe and secure while you're on the road
Techno-savvy travellers will find it impossible to face the prospect of being on the road without some of their favourite electronic devices. But if you do decide to take expensive kit travelling with you, how do you keep them safe and protect yourself against security threats?
Internet cafe's
Internet cafe's are still a popular choice amongst those who prefer to travel light, but be prepared for excruciatingly slow connections and protect yourself against security risks. Software can be installed on internet cafe PCs, which will track every key you press… obviously meaning that your email address and password are at risk. Set up a new, web-based email account just to use while you're travelling, and avoid using it for important activities such as banking. That way, if your account is hacked it won't contain personal information. Also some security systems allow you to print out a list of one-time passwords for use while you travel, preventing eavesdroppers from accessing your account, even with your regular password. Some providers, Gmail for example, take security one step further, offering additional security systems that work on your smart phone to generate one-off passwords. This means that even if your password is discovered, it won't be any use without the smartphone app.
Laptops
If you're planning to take a laptop on your travels look for a light, compact model with a good battery life, and remember you'll be dependent on finding wifi networks to get online.
Bear in mind that many rogue wifi networks have been set up just to capture unsuspecting users' user ids and passwords. So-called "evil twin" networks are often named very similarly to networks you might trust, e.g. those of coffee shops and so on. Make sure you ask for the exact name of the wifi network before you use it, and ensure that you always use https (the padlock) in your browser whenever you type a password on a wifi network.
Smartphones
Smartphones offer an alternative to a laptop, also connecting via wifi networks or data connections, enabling you to email and browse the internet. If you're planning to work on the road these probably won't be adequate, but if you only want to send emails and research destinations they are ideal. Be aware that data charges can be shockingly expensive when roaming abroad; use Wi Fi when it's available and switch off your data connection to avoid unnecessary charges.
Alternatively when you land in a new country look to buy a local SIM card. This is often a really easy process and means you are on local rates rather than roaming rates. Depending on the amount of work/downloads you will need will obviously depend on the network/pre-paid plan you purchase. Unless you plan to stay in the one place for a long time you will almost exclusively be looking for pre-paid SIM card option.
Insuring your gadgets
You should take out adequate insurance to protect your devices if the worst happens and they are accidentally damaged – or even lost or stolen. Standard travel insurance offers baggage cover, but there are limits on what you can claim for. On a budget policy, for example, there may be a limit of $150 per single item and a total of $300 for valuables overall – far from adequate if you're carrying even a couple of devices. Some policies exclude mobile phones because they pose too great a risk. The good news is, however, that you can find competitively-priced gadgets cover. This usually covers smaller devices, whereas you may need Computer Insurance to cover netbooks or laptops.
Check for exclusions and choose the right level of cover, checking how many devices are covered; the maximum you can claim per item; and the overall limit. Keep an eye on the excess, which is the amount you pay if you claim. Generally, policies cover you for accidental damage, but not always for theft, breakdown and loss, so read the small print.
Backing up your data
Back up your data regularly in case you damage or lose your device – either using a small USB storage device (preferably an encrypted one with password protection in case you lose it) or an online back up service such as Dropbox, ideal if you have regular access to wifi.