Travellers tend to relax when away from home. They shouldn't.
Many don’t realize that their hotel rooms can be hotspots for digital threats - making seemingly relaxing getaways risky moments for their personal data and devices.
"Cybersecurity doesn’t go on holiday just because you do," says Matas Cenys, senior product manager at Saily.
"Even in your hotel room, hackers can exploit weak spots in public infrastructure and devices to access your information.
"That’s why travellers need to take digital security seriously - especially when relying on unfamiliar networks abroad."
Here are some of the ways devices can be hacked on vacation - and how to stay safe with smart precautions and secure mobile connectivity, as recommended by Saily.
Hotel wifi: Protect your connection
Public wifi can be convenient, but it's also one of the easiest gateways for hackers. In hotels, cybercriminals can exploit network vulnerabilities by either infecting the hotel’s legitimate wifi or setting up fake hotspots that look like official hotel networks but are designed to steal your data. Confirm the correct network name with hotel staff or avoid public wifi by using mobile data via an eSIM service, which provides secure, and affordable internet access.
USB charging ports: Stick to the socket
USB ports in hotel rooms may be convenient, especially for international travelers, but they’re not always safe. Modified ports can enable “juice jacking” - a method where malware is transferred to your phone via the USB cable, allowing hackers to steal passwords, credit card numbers, or even your location.
Smart TVs: Don’t let your screen spy on you
Smart TVs in hotel rooms often come equipped with cameras, microphones, and access to streaming services - and they're sometimes poorly secured. Hackers can exploit these devices to eavesdrop, watch, or capture login credentials.
Automatic connections: Disable and defend
Most smartphones are set to connect automatically to known wifi networks, but this can backfire when you're surrounded by insecure or malicious networks. Devices can reconnect without you noticing - even when you’re not in the room. Turn off auto-connect for wifi and Bluetooth. Enable security apps like firewalls or VPNs.
Phishing scams: Don’t let your guard down
Advanced cybercriminal groups like DarkHotel have been known to target high-profile travellers at luxury hotels with phishing campaigns and malware-laced networks. Their phishing emails are convincing, often highly personalised. Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
# Saily is promoted as an affordable and secure travel eSIM app created by the team behind NordVPN.
"Even in your hotel room, hackers can exploit weak spots in public infrastructure and devices to access your information.
"That’s why travellers need to take digital security seriously - especially when relying on unfamiliar networks abroad."
Here are some of the ways devices can be hacked on vacation - and how to stay safe with smart precautions and secure mobile connectivity, as recommended by Saily.
Hotel wifi: Protect your connection
Public wifi can be convenient, but it's also one of the easiest gateways for hackers. In hotels, cybercriminals can exploit network vulnerabilities by either infecting the hotel’s legitimate wifi or setting up fake hotspots that look like official hotel networks but are designed to steal your data. Confirm the correct network name with hotel staff or avoid public wifi by using mobile data via an eSIM service, which provides secure, and affordable internet access.
USB charging ports: Stick to the socket
USB ports in hotel rooms may be convenient, especially for international travelers, but they’re not always safe. Modified ports can enable “juice jacking” - a method where malware is transferred to your phone via the USB cable, allowing hackers to steal passwords, credit card numbers, or even your location.
Smart TVs: Don’t let your screen spy on you
Smart TVs in hotel rooms often come equipped with cameras, microphones, and access to streaming services - and they're sometimes poorly secured. Hackers can exploit these devices to eavesdrop, watch, or capture login credentials.
Automatic connections: Disable and defend
Most smartphones are set to connect automatically to known wifi networks, but this can backfire when you're surrounded by insecure or malicious networks. Devices can reconnect without you noticing - even when you’re not in the room. Turn off auto-connect for wifi and Bluetooth. Enable security apps like firewalls or VPNs.
Phishing scams: Don’t let your guard down
Advanced cybercriminal groups like DarkHotel have been known to target high-profile travellers at luxury hotels with phishing campaigns and malware-laced networks. Their phishing emails are convincing, often highly personalised. Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
# Saily is promoted as an affordable and secure travel eSIM app created by the team behind NordVPN.
Image: Lin Watchorn, Scop.io
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