Top tips for keeping your mobile phone safe abroad

With Brits taking a whopping 71.8 million trips overseas last year and peak travel season approaching, many of us will be planning some sun, sea and sand-filled holidays for 2023.

And, while on your travels, having your phone out and ready to capture those precious moments, as well as navigating and communicating with loved ones back home, becomes even more important. That’s why it’s super essential to keep your phone safe, to avoid any unwanted stress and to ensure that your holiday can go ahead without a hitch.

Here are some top tips on phone safety abroad to help you navigate your way to a hassle-free holiday:

1. Secure your phone physically

Now, this may seem like an obvious one, but it’s so easy to get whisked away in holiday bliss, soaking in the memories (and the cocktails) that keeping a close eye on your belongings isn’t always front of mind.

It’s important to be mindful of your surroundings, keeping a close eye on your phone, especially in crowded areas or tourist spots where thieves are often most active. Consider using a phone case with a strap or a secure belt clip to keep your phone close to you when navigating these spaces.

2. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks can be convenient, but they also pose security risks. It’s always best to ensure you are using the correct Wi-Fi for the venue that you’re in, and you can do this by simply asking anyone who works there. This will prevent you from connecting to a network that appears to be a legitimate public Wi-Fi but is actually one that an attacker has specifically set up to sneak malicious software (malware) into your device. Yikes!

Even if you have identified a safe public Wi-Fi to use, avoid accessing sensitive information, such as banking or personal accounts, while connected. If you need to use the internet, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) app such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN to encrypt your connection and protect your data from potential hackers.

3. Backup your data

Before travelling abroad, backing up all the important data on your mobile phone will ensure that even if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, you won’t lose precious memories or vital information. Regularly backing up your data including contacts, photos, and any other valuable information is a good thing to do in general, and is something you can set your phone up to do automatically.

Here are some simple steps on how to do this for Android and iPhone devices.

4. Enable remote tracking and wiping

Enabling your “Find My Device” or similar feature on your phone will allow you to track your phone’s location remotely and even wipe its data in case of loss or theft. This is handy, because if the worst does happen, your personal data will not be accessible in the hands of a thief. Knowing that you can locate or erase your phone’s content remotely can offer peace of mind while travelling.

Hopefully by implementing these top tips, you can maximise the chance of keeping your mobile phone secure while travelling abroad. Remember to prioritise security measures and remain cautious when using public Wi-Fi, secure your phone physically, and exercise caution when interacting with links or downloading apps.

By taking these precautions, you should be able to enjoy a worry-free holiday while staying connected with loved ones and capturing memorable moments.