How to reduce your risk of having data hacked

Are you taking risks when you sign on to wifi servers when travelling?

Recent research by cybersecurity experts at NordPass, together with Saily, suggest your data may be at serious risk.

The team says fake wifi hotspots that allow cybercriminals to steal login details - and, in some cases, access saved credit card information - are on the increase.

Karolis Arbaciauskas, head of product at NordPass, says that “workations” made company accounts more vulnerable than ever, while Saily’s CEO Vykintas Maknickas highlights how travellers often connect to “the first wifi they see” without considering security.

Many holidaymakers rely on airport wifi to check emails, log into airline apps with the same password, or, share streaming accounts.

One recurring pattern is the rise of “workations.” Employees working from beaches ski chalets often connected to company accounts via unsecured networks.

"Families on group trips also frequently admitted to reusing the same password across multiple booking apps to keep it simple,” says Arbaciauskas.

He warns fake wifi hotspots set up in airports, hotels, or even beach cafés can look identical to the real thing. Once you are connected, cybercriminals can monitor traffic and capture login details.

“We’ve seen how travellers lean on quick connections to stay in touch with home, work, or entertainment,” said Maknickas. 

“But not all networks are created equal. Choosing a secure, reliable connection can make the difference between a smooth trip and one filled with unexpected cyber troubles.”

Five tips:

# Audit your passwords: Replace any that are weak, reused, or shared over the summer.

# Think twice about wifi: Public hotspots are a hacker’s favourite playground - use mobile data or a VPN.

# Keep accounts personal: Sharing logins may seem harmless, but it weakens your digital defences.

# Secure work accounts: If you worked on the road, reset critical passwords now.

# Use tools that do the heavy lifting: A password manager helps generate and store strong, unique passwords.

# NordPass is a password manager for both business and consumer clients.

Image: Roberto Moreno, Scop.io

Airline to say definitive goodbye to paper boarding passes

Airline industry disruptor Ryanair has announced plans to ban all paper boarding passes from November 12. 

The Irish budget carrier says the shift to accepting only digital passes means that all customers will now need to download the Ryanair app, affecting roughly 20% of passengers who currently use paper boarding passes. 

Digital board passes will "minimise" delays, the airline says. 

Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, also announced earlier this year that he expects to get rid of virtually all airline check-in desks, saying the move would "create a smoother, easier journey for everybody". 

Speaking to The Independent newspaper, O'Leary said: "Between 85 and 90% of passengers show up with smartphones. Almost 100% of passengers have smartphones, and we want to move everybody onto that the smartphone technology."

But he conceded the big concern that people have is: "What happens if I lose my battery or whatever I lose my phone?"

O'Leary had an answer: "If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you've checked in before you got to the airport, we'll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge. But you have to have checked in before you got to the airport.

"Also, if your battery dies or something happens, once you've checked in, we'll have your sequence number anyway at the boarding gate, we'll take you you'll get on. So nobody should worry about it. Just make sure you check in online before you get to the airport and then all will be fine."

How to boost travel connectivity with minimum fuss

If you'd mentioned an eSIM a couple of years ago it is a good bet no one would have had any idea what you were talking about.

Now the market is flooded with a choice of eSIMS making different promises and with a range of package options. The old travel SIM business model is drowning fast.

But which one to choose?

Airalo, the world’s first and now largest eSIM provider, has just been awarded the esteemed 2025 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers Award for travel phone plans.

I used Airalo on a recent trip to Bali, and was very satisfied.

"We are honoured to be recognised by Canstar Blue, reaffirming our dedication to providing unparalleled service to travellers," said Charlotte Dawes, head of partnerships, Australia & New Zealand at Airalo.

"We strive to connect and inspire a global culture of confident travellers, giving them greater assurance to experience the world. This accolade underscores our mission to empower travellers, ensuring they have the support and connectivity they need to explore with peace of mind."

Airalo is also scaling its enterprise platform with the launch of Airalo for Business.

This gives companies seamless access to local, regional, and global eSIMs for 200+ destinations, helping them assign eSIMs, control budgets, and can reduce roaming costs by up to 90%, Airalo says.

Employees can install an eSIM before departure and connect to a local network as soon as they land, staying online and productive from the get-go.

"As business travel, remote work, and global teams become the norm, managing connectivity has become increasingly complex," says Melvin Ng, Senior Partnerships Director (APAC) for Airalo Partners.

“Connectivity is no longer a nice-to-have - it is essential for doing business across borders.”

To learn more see www.airalo.com, or for more info on Airalo’s business solutions, visit www.partners.airalo.com.

Airalo, founded in 2019, has had over 20 million travellers to date and offers eSIM packages in 200+ countries.

See https://www.canstar.com.au/

Why you need to be cyber alert when travelling

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.

Image: Lin Watchorn, Scop.io 

Airalo makes staying in touch overseas easier than ever

Remember the old days when you used to brace for massive overseas roaming charges each time you travelled overseas?

Then came the trend of installing a new local SIM card into your mobile device every time you switched countries.

Now, eSIMs are the way to go - a few clicks on your phone and an eSIM is installed for your destination. Land, click and you are away, at a cost of just a couple of dollars a day.

Running out of data? Easy. A couple more clicks, a couple more bucks, and stay in touch.

I tested out the Airalo eSIM on a 10-day trip to Bali - including some remote locations - earlier this month. I was impressed both with the ease of signing up, and the ability to stay connected in places where I had no wifi access.

Airalo, founded in 2019, came highly recommended by a couple of travel writing colleagues and its PR operative helped set me up on the service. I'm an instant convert

Airalo, which promotes itself as the world’s leading eSIM provider, celebrated a major milestone recently: 20 million users have embraced its fully digital eSIM technology.

The outdated, traditional SIM card industry relies on a plastic-heavy, high-emission supply chain, producing billions of single-use SIMs each year - equivalent to 20,000 tonnes of plastic.

An eSIM emits 46% less CO2 throughout its product lifecycle than a single SIM card.

By eliminating the need for physical SIM cards, Airalo's eSIM technology is helping to reduce the telecom industry's environmental footprint at scale, while offering a more efficient and eco-friendly way to stay connected.

“Reaching 20 million users is more than a business milestone - it’s a clear signal that the world is ready for a more sustainable way to stay connected,” said Ahmet Bahadir Ozdemir, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Airalo.

“Every eSIM activation represents less plastic waste, fewer carbon emissions, and a step toward a greener planet." 

Unlike traditional SIM cards, which require swapping and often get lost or discarded, eSIMs are fully digital and easily manageable through your own device.

This flexibility allows travellers to switch between eSIM plans and countries effortlessly, without worrying about physical cards or compatibility issues.

Current offers include unlimited data for 10 days in 42 countries in Europe with Airalo Eurolink for $58.50.

To learn more visit www.airalo.com.

Airlines crack down hard on power banks

It is always nice to arrive at your destination with both your mobile phone and power bank fully charged.

But airlines are cracking down on the use of power banks in flight due to the potential fire risks associated with the lithium-based batteries used by the charging devices.

Effective April 1, Singapore Airlines and Scoot customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via onboard USB ports, or to use power banks to charge their personal devices, throughout the duration of the flight.

Thai Airways and AirAsia have also joined the list of airlines which now ban the battery packs being used, or charged, during a flight.

The restrictions follow moves by airlines in South Korea and Taiwan, which have tightened rules on power banks due to the potential fire risks.

The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries.

This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage.

Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.

"We seek customers’ understanding that safety will always be our top priority," SIA said in a statement..

So make sure your phones are fully charged when you disembark. 

Which can be hard if you are using your phone to watch content, and even worse if your seat does not have a USB charging slot. Which still happens. 

Image: Solar power bank. scopi.io 

How our love of tapping is changing our lives

Remember when a phone was an implement you used to talk to someone in another location?

Nowadays our phones are a key element of our daily lives.

Tap. Pay. Done. 

That simple, secure, and increasingly mobile action has transformed the shopping experience and unlocked opportunities for small businesses worldwide.

Visa this week announced that Tap to Phone has experienced a 200% increase in usage over the past year, supporting millions of sellers of all sizes.

In the highest Tap to Phone countries - the US, UK, and Brazil - adoption rates have surged, showing a combined growth rate of 234%.

Tap to Phone expanded Visa’s tap capabilities with a technology that turns a smartphone into a point-of-sale (POS) device, simply by downloading an app.

With nearly 30% of Tap sellers being new small businesses, this technology is helping to democratise access to commerce tools and empower microsellers and SMBs (small and mid-sized businesses)  around the world to start accepting contactless payments by using their NFC-enabled smartphones.

“Tap to Phone is a tech equalizer for businesses. Walk into some of the world’s largest retailers or go to your local farmer’s market and they’re using this same technology to accept payments right on their phone,” said Mark Nelsen, global head of consumer products, Visa.

Ariel Davis, owner an upcycling business in New York that gives new life to vintage china, says Tap to Phone technology helped her pivot to open an in-person studio for customers. Notably absent from her compact space is a desk, computer setup or register.

“You don't typically couple vintage china and innovation, but in some ways, I feel like a tech start-up because we're always trying to figure out what's going to make this experience the best for our customers and the latest technology that will take us there,” said Davis.

Call me old fashioned but I worry about losing my phone or having it stolen. And I prefer cash anyway. 

 

Tourist destination wants visitors to try a digital detox

Ever wished you could be somewhere that is really switched off? 

Finland has just introduced the world's first phone-free tourist island with visitors to Ulko-Tammio island being encouraged to stay offline this summer. 

Anyone travelling to the island, located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, will be asked to keep their phones in their pockets this summer. 

The aim is to encourage holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices, take a break from social media and enjoy nature. 

Ulko-Tammio is promoting itself as "the world's first phone-free tourist island" - although it is not clear how, or if, the ban will be enforced. 

The Eastern Gulf of Finland is known for its rugged islands and charming coastal villages adjacent to the Baltic Sea.

“The island of Ulko-Tammio, which is located off the coast of Hamina, will be a phone-free area this summer," says Mats Selin from Visit Kotka-Hamina. 

"We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands.”

For more info see https://visitkotkahamina.fi/en/archipelago