{"id":28253,"date":"2019-05-21T06:00:12","date_gmt":"2019-05-21T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.webroot.com/blog/?p=28253"},"modified":"2023-12-01T08:01:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T15:01:12","slug":"a-cybersecurity-guide-for-digital-nomads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.webroot.com/blog/2019\/05\/21\/a-cybersecurity-guide-for-digital-nomads\/","title":{"rendered":"A Cybersecurity Guide for Digital Nomads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Technology has unlocked a new type of worker, unlike any we have seen before\u2014the digital nomad. Digital nomads are people who use technologies like WiFi, smart devices, and cloud-based applications to work from wherever they please. For some digital nomads, this means their favorite coffee shop or co-working space. For others, it means an idyllic beach in Bali or countryside public house. One thing remains true wherever a digital nomad may choose to lay down their temporary roots: They are at a higher cybersecurity risk<\/a> than a traditional worker. So what risks should they look out for? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Wifi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, public\u00a0WiFi\u00a0is\u00a0one of the main cybersecurity\u00a0hazards\u00a0many digital nomads\u00a0face. The massive and unresolved flaw in the\u00a0WPA2 encryption\u00a0standard used by\u00a0modern\u00a0WiFi\u00a0networks means that anyone connecting to a public network is putting themselves at risk. All public\u00a0WiFi\u00a0options\u2014including\u00a0WiFi\u00a0provided by hotels, cafes, and airports\u2014poses the risk of not being\u00a0secure. How can a digital nomad be digital if their main\u00a0source of\u00a0internet connectivity is a cybersecurity\u00a0minefield?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When connecting to public WiFi as a digital nomad, it is crucial to keep your web traffic hidden behind a virtual private network (VPN). A quality VPN app is simple to set up on your mobile devices\u2014including laptops and smart phones\u2014and uses a strong encryption protocol to prevent hackers and other snoops from stealing important personal information such as account passwords, banking information, and private messages. VPNs will keep your data encrypted and secure<\/a> from prying eyes, regardless of locale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Device Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Physical device theft is a very real risk for digital nomads, but one that can largely be avoided. The first and most obvious step to doing so is to never <\/em>leave your devices unattended, even if your seatmate at the coffee shop seems trustworthy. Always be mindful of your device visibility; keeping your unattended devices and laptop bags locked away or out of sight in your hotel room is often all it takes to prevent theft. Purchasing a carrying case with a secure access passcode or keyed entry can also act as an additional deterrent against thieves looking for an easy mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your device is stolen, how can you prevent the damage from spiraling? Taking a few defensive measures can save digital nomads major headaches. Keep a device tracker enabled on all of your devices\u2014smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Both Apple and Android have default services that will help you locate your missing device.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this will only help you find your property; it won\u2019t prevent anyone from accessing the valuable data within. That\u2019s why all of your devices should have a lock screen enabled, secured with either a pin or a biometric ID, such as your fingerprint. If you believe these efforts have failed and your device is compromised, enabling multi-factor authentication on your most sensitive accounts should help reduce the effect of the breach.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you cannot recover your device, remotely wiping it will prevent any additional data from being accessed. If you have a device tracker enabled, you will be able to remotely wipe your sensitive data with that software. If you\u2019re using a data backup solution, any lost files will be recoverable once the status of your devices is secure <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower Your Risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being a digital nomad means that you\u2019re at a higher risk for a breach, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t take steps to lower that risk. These best practices could drastically reduce the risk incurred by leading a digitally nomadic lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n