Working while you travel means you need to be considerate of security, both in the physical world and the digital one.

Staying Safe and Sound

Jono Lee, a product designer, wrote an extensive piece about securing your digital life while on the road. Here are a few of his suggestions, though his post is well worth the read and research as he gives specific advice, reasoning, and recommendations.

Digital Protection

• Every account should have a unique password, and they should be complex
• Use 2 factor authentication (2FA)
• Set alerts so you can immediately address suspicious activity
• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Use the HTTPS Everywhere browser extension
• Set a password on your smartphone or laptop
• Enable your device’s built in tracking software, which all major platforms have today
• Keep important files in the cloud & back up your laptop to an external hard drive regularly

Physical Precautions

• Use a USB condom (protect against data theft at USB charging stations)
• Use RFID blocking sleeves (for credit cards, passport, etc)
• Use a webcam cover
• MacBooks haven’t had a lock bracket area since the generation before the Retina MacBook Pro, but thankfully there are brackets you can add on.

Insure

Kipp, a digital nomad from New York, was traveling through South America when he had many of his electronics stolen out of his hotel room in Cusco, Peru: “They took everything: my computer, camera, animation equipment… even my passport.”

The security footage showed that a man entered the hotel and had a key to his room – potentially because someone knew that there were thousands of dollars worth of electronics inside. However, a potential travesty was downgraded to an inconvenience, thanks to travel insurance. Within days, his claim was processed and he was able to purchase new devices. “I still had to go back to New York to renew my passport,” he lamented. “But the insurance on my stuff saved me.”

Jono advises researching device, travel property, and homeowners insurance options – they aren’t often cheap, but they can be worth investing in. His post specifically lists several options: AppleCare, Esuranty, and Clements Worldwide International Property Insurance, among others.

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