In June, the Kaspersky Lab recorded increase in malicious messages purporting to be sent by online travel services. These are fake alerts that mimic confirmation emails for online hotel or flight ticket bookings and usually contain Trojan spyware programs, which use receipt forms for these transactions as cover. In particular, malicious messages purporting to come from booking services usually contain the Trojan Ursnif, which intercepts confidential data and sends it to a remote server. The Trojan can monitor network traffic, download and run other malicious programs, and disable certain system applications, such as the firewall.
Therefore, those who plan their holidays or travel to various destinations in the summer may face the risk of falling victim to digital criminals. With this in mind, Kaspersky Lab lists some useful tips for (secure) online holidays.
Designing the holidays
After the user has found a reliable site to "book" his stay, special attention must be paid to the electronic payment process. Before the transaction takes place, your device and software must be checked to ensure that the security features are fully up-to-date. Payment services must be controlled for security reasons, while a robust solution anti-virus με ενσωματωμένη λειτουργία προστασίας των χρηματικών συναλλαγών πρέπει να «τρέχει» συνεχώς. Η τεχνολογία Safe Money της Kaspersky Lab ελέγχει αν μία ιστοσελίδα είναι safeς, διασφαλίζει ότι οι χρήστες δεν έχουν εξαπατηθεί από μια πλαστή ή κακόβουλη ιστοσελίδα και στη συνέχεια «ανοίγει» το site σε ειδική, προστατευμένη λειτουργία.
Devices
Of course, most will take their mobile phone, tablet or laptop together on their holidays. However, if valuable data is stored on the device, users need to make sure they have backed up an external hard drive. This ensures that data will be secure, even if a device is lost, stolen or spoiled.
Also, for portables Appliances, it is useful to have a data protection solution installed in case of theft, or at least users should know how to use the corresponding features that may be built into their device. For example, the Anti-Theft function of the solution Kaspersky Internet Security - multi-device can hide contacts, calls, text messages, and logins if a smartphone is lost or stolen. It also provides the ability to block and locate the location of the device, erase data, even capture a photo of anyone trying to use it.
During the holidays
When a user is on a family holiday, it is important to have some communication phones with him in case of emergency - especially when traveling abroad, so the Internet connection may not always be available. So these numbers should be on the phone or on a laptop, and it would be good to have somewhere in it. Also, especially if traveling abroad, users need to be sure they know how to make calls to their own country.
Wi-Fi Hotspots
Special attention should be paid to hotspots, such as free wi-fi in hotels or cafes, as there may be various dangers. If possible, it is best for users to avoid online banking, online shopping or any other sensitive transaction from hotspots, unless these networks have a secure VPN connection. Those who are going to use hotspots, it is good to install applications or VPN software to protect their devices.
Credit cards
It is good for those who travel to have at least two credit or debit cards with them cards. This ensures that there are alternatives in case a card is lost or – for some reason – canceled.
It is therefore good for users to take all of the above steps to ensure that they are adequately protected against any digital criminal threat or fraud that could disrupt their vacation and enjoyment.
