Advice on safeguarding personal information during the upcoming holiday season



With the expected surge in global travel this holiday season, it's crucial to consider cybersecurity habits while on the move and staying in unfamiliar places. Traveling can make us vulnerable to device theft/loss and account breaches. In fact, according to a NordVPN study, about half of US travelers will use public Wi-Fi, but 63% are uncertain if they're on a secure network.

Above all, the most crucial initial step for safety is enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on accounts whenever possible, adding an extra layer of defense against hackers. However, it's important to note that not all MFAs are created equal. While all forms of MFA are better than relying solely on usernames and passwords, hardware security keys like YubiKey provide advanced anti-fraud technology to safeguard user accounts against network authentication threats.

To secure accounts and information during the peak holiday season and offer consistent security for users, starting from December 1, 2024, HPT has a special promotion for YubiKey products: BUY 10, GET 1 FREE. Stay updated with YubiKey information on HPT Vietnam Corporation's fan page, HPT Digital Sales, and the website hpt.vn.


Special discount program for YubiKey products in December
Alongside employing modern MFA, here are five additional safe travel tips to help safeguard your personal account information during this holiday season:

1. Not connecting to unidentified Wi-Fi networks

Using public Wi-Fi networks in densely populated areas like airports and train stations can be convenient but also poses various risks. Research conducted by NordVPN has revealed that for every four travelers, one person has fallen victim to attacks while using public Wi-Fi abroad—hence, one of the best ways to protect oneself is to avoid using public Wi-Fi altogether.

To ensure devices don't connect to the first available Wi-Fi network without consent, users can disable the automatic Wi-Fi connection feature in settings. This helps reduce exposure to potential malicious agents and provides more control over one's network settings on the phone.

Using a phone as a mobile hotspot means there is little to no risk of connecting to fraudulent networks. This is an excellent option when not wanting to rely on public Wi-Fi.


Not connecting to unidentified Wi-Fi networks 

2. Turn off your devices when not in use

Power down (not just in sleep or hibernate mode) your computer and phone during security checks at airports, customs, or when not directly monitoring these devices. This allows users to maximize the hardware security features of the devices, such as whole drive encryption, which helps safeguard data if the device is compromised.

3. Avoid connecting to unknown charging ports

Avoid directly using public USB or Lightning ports or USB devices from untrustworthy sources, such as hotels. While such network attacks aren’t common, they can still occur. Users can employ data blocking adapters or external charging hubs to limit exposure to harmful ports and cables.

4. Limit screen lock view modes

Many of us unintentionally share more personal information than intended on our mobile device's lock screens, such as text message content and calendar appointments. By adjusting settings, users can selectively share high-level information to control what's accessible on their phone without unlocking it. This could restrict the amount of information someone passing by and snooping on the phone can gather in a few seconds from their lock screen.

5. Check Bluetooth connections

The best practice is always to ensure Bluetooth is turned off when not in use. When left on, it enables bad actors to discover previously connected devices and potentially gain access to a user's device.
Users can set their device to "hidden" instead of "discoverable" in Bluetooth settings, preventing unknown devices from finding their Bluetooth connection. Also, ensure to adjust Airdrop settings to "contacts only" to prevent unknown devices from sharing content in public mode.

Source: Yubico

Establishing habits that protect personal information and control access to electronic devices from unknown networks will help minimize the risk of becoming a target for cybercriminals. Particularly, users need to build awareness and enhance strong multi-factor authentication security to prevent authentication attacks and account theft. YubiKey stands as one of the leading and convenient solutions for security anytime, anywhere. Choosing reputable solution providers is the first step to ensuring user information security. HPT is currently an official partner of Yubico in Vietnam, providing genuine YubiKey products to meet users' needs.

Learn more about YubiKey Passwordless Authentication Solution here.

Contact HPT now for expert advice and special offers in December.

Contact Information:
Email: info@hpt.vn
Phone: 028 38 266 206