Insurance for re-assurance

Have you thought about insuring your new gadgets? If you have a smartphone or tablet that has become a vital travel companion wherever you go, insurance is a really good idea. You can purchase insurance through your phone or service provider, as well as third-party sources.

Most of these insurance programmes cover a range of eventualities including water damage and theft, and since replacing a mobile device isn’t cheap remember to shop around in order to get the best value cover that suits your needs. 

Update, Update, Update!

Phone manufacturers regularly send out updates for your phone. Make sure to regularly check for updates as this is your first line of defense against some of the known online threats. Ensuring you have adequate security software on old and new devices is a must too, as outdated security leaves your gadgets vulnerable to thieves and hackers.

Passwords

Keeping it simple isn’t always smart so never use passwords that are too easy. Your date of birth might be a good idea…or so it might seem but it’s also much easier to crack than a password full of numbers and symbols in addition to letters.

There’s no such thing as a password that’s too complicated so go wild and remember never to write it down! It’s always good practice to change your passwords regularly to help protect your new and
current tech.

Set your phone passcode

Phone passcodes are one of the easiest things to do. Setting a passcode lock might be an inconvenience but not only will it give you another layer of security but it will even have the effect of putting off a potential thief.

Using a passcode on your phone and making certain it auto-locks will dissuade prying eyes from chancing a glance at your private life should you leave it unattended.  

Invest in a good phone case

Our devices travel everywhere with us and at some stage we’ve all had that moment haven’t we? Just like a slippery fish our devices can decide to slide off the table or fall into the sink providing a heart stopping moment.

If you’re concerned about your device being subjected to the elements, consider investing in a waterproof case. There are plenty of slim, sleek “protective skins” on the market, allowing you to shield your device from destruction without adding serious pressure on your wallet.

Protect your Wi-Fi use

What’s the first thing you ask when arriving at a hotel are restaurant? More than likely it’s the Wi-Fi code, but rather than connecting your phone, tablet, laptop, or other device to any old Wi-Fi network, use Wi-Fi Protected Access such as the Norton Secure VPN app instead. This creates an encrypted, highly secure network connection you can trust.

Is my device ready for the holidays now?

So your bags are packed and you’ve ensured your gadgets are ready to travel but what else can you do to ensure further protection?

• Always read privacy policies thoroughly before agreeing
  
  
• Use two-stage authentication where possible
  
  
• Use anti-malware, firewalls, and similar security tactics where applicable
  

Keeping these tips and suggestions in mind as you travel will give you peace of mind that your devices are protected from threats, whether it’s from hackers, thieves or just the elements.

Find out more about device safety.