El Salvador is a beautiful country, full of culture, great landscapes, and welcoming people. However, just like anywhere else you travel to, you need to be careful with your sensitive information online.
So, whether you’re there for hiking, surfing, or just chilling and exploring El Salvador’s history and culture, keeping yourself safe online serves to give you some much-needed peace of mind.
Let’s explore what to consider.
Don’t use unsecured Wi-Fi connections
Research has demonstrated that 93% of organizations have had two or more identity-related breaches in the past year, which means that everyone is at risk: individuals and companies.
If you don’t have a phone chip from El Salvador, you’ll probably be dependent on Wi-Fi to stay connected with friends, family, and social media. Here’s what you should do.
Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks
By public Wi-Fi networks, we mean the kind of connection you can find in cafes, hotels, airports, and other places. Their lack of passwords makes them very vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals.
If you must connect to one, never open apps containing sensitive information, like your bank account, for example, or your email.
Get a VPN
Software like a Virtual Private Network serves to hide your internet connection behind an encryption wall. This makes it almost invulnerable to cyberattacks. Whenever you go online, especially if you’re gonna connect to a public Wi-Fi, activate it and use it.
Keep your devices protected
Every device you own has a lot of personal information that hackers can exploit. From your smartwatch to your laptop, it’s your job to protect them from cyberattacks, and fortunately, this is simple.
Update your devices
Most devices today let you know when they need to be updated, and these updates often involve critical security patches. You can also update them manually, but it’s easier to forget to do it and end up with a vulnerable device.
Set up two-factor authentication
With this software in place, you’ll be protected from many cyberattacks. 2FA is simple: if you log in, you’ll be asked for a second form of verification, like a temporary code sent to your phone.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to your password. Enable 2FA for your important accounts. You can also learn how to change location on Google Chrome to access your information, keeping yourself protected at the same time.
Keep your financial information protected
The revenue in the cybersecurity market in El Salvador is forecast to increase between 2024 and 2029 by 17.2 million U.S. This means that the country realized how dire the need for more cybersecurity policies is, but you still need to protect yourself as much as possible. Here are a few tips:
Use your credit card over your debit card
Fraud protection for credit cards is better than that for debit cards. If your credit card is compromised, they limit your liability.
Let your bank know you’ll be traveling
Sharing your travel plans with your bank prevents you from having your accounts frozen due to suspicious activity. Banks have security measures in place, that’s why it’s best to let them know where you will be ahead of time.
Final thoughts
El Salvador is a wonderful country to travel to, and you can discover an amazing place and have wonderful adventures there. If you protect your personal information online, you’ll make sure to enjoy your trip to the fullest.