Don't use a public charging port to charge your phone or tablet. While rare, "juice jacking' is a method that a cybercriminal can use to install malware or steal data from a device plugged into a public charging port. To charge on the go and keep your devices safe, invest in a portable charging device or a power only charging cable.
When connected to public wifi, always use a VPN. This creates a safe data tunnel between your device and the destination website to keep eavesdroppers out. Free VPN services will keep and sell a log of your activity. I recommend a paid VPN service such as Express VPN, Nord VPN, or the one I use, Surfshark, which is quite reasonable with a multi-year commitment.
When accessing a financial institution, or even when shopping online, the safest way to connect is using your phone as a personal hotspot rather than using any public wifi. If you are traveling internationally, you will need an international data plan to use your phone as a personal hotspot. You can either have your wireless carrier turn on international roaming or use an e-sim card if your phone supports it.
International roaming can be expensive. The apps on your phone are always active and use data in the background. To keep costs low, turn off cellular data, and only turn it on when needed, for example, to look at a map, or to use the phone as a personal hotspot.
An e-sim card is a digital substitute for a physical sim card which enables your phone to connect to the host country's cellular network. E-sim cards are available for a single country or combinations of countries and are reasonably priced. Order in advance of your trip and activate upon arrival. E-sim cards come as data only or voice and data versions.
