Okay, so I’ve been doing a bit more traveling lately, and one thing that’s been on my mind is keeping my personal info safe. I mean, you hear all these stories about identity theft, and it’s even scarier when you’re in a foreign country. So, I started looking into ways to protect myself, and here’s what I did.
Got Myself a 加速器
First things first, I got a 加速器. I’d heard about them but never really used one consistently. Basically, it’s like a secure tunnel for your internet connection. I downloaded an app on my phone and laptop before I left.
Setting it up was pretty easy. I just picked a server, sometimes one back home, sometimes one local to where I was, and turned it on. Now, when I’m on public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop or the airport, my data is encrypted. Feels much safer, you know?
Shredded All the Papers!
Before I left, I went through my wallet and took out anything I didn’t absolutely need – extra credit cards, loyalty cards, anything with my address or personal details. Then, at my destination and during traveling, I was using a tiny, portable cross-cut paper shredder. I bought the portable, tiny, battery-powered paper shredder for less than $20!
I used that shredder to shred the receipts, boarding passes, and anything else paper that I don’t need.
Locked Down My Devices
I made sure all my devices – phone, tablet, laptop – had strong passwords. And I mean strong passwords, not just “password123”. I used a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. I also enabled two-factor authentication wherever I could. It’s that extra step where you get a code on your phone to log in. Annoying sometimes, but worth it.
Became a Credit Card Ninja
I’m usually a debit card kind of guy, but I switched to using a credit card for most purchases while traveling. I’d heard it’s safer because if someone steals your credit card number, it’s the bank’s money, not yours directly. I also set up alerts on my phone so I get a notification every time my card is used. That way, I can spot anything fishy right away.
I only took the cards that I really needed with me and made some notes about how much limitation of the credit card.
Kept My Stuff Close, Literally
This might seem obvious, but I made sure to keep my important stuff – passport, wallet, phone – close to me at all times. I used a cross-body bag that I could keep in front of me, and in crowded places, I was extra careful. No back pockets for my wallet! On some days, I even used one of those hidden money belts under my clothes. Felt a bit like a secret agent, haha.
Checked My Accounts Regularly
Even with all these precautions, I still checked my bank and credit card accounts online regularly. I just wanted to make sure there were no weird charges. It only took a few minutes each day, and it gave me peace of mind.
So yeah, that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing to protect my identity while traveling. It might seem like a lot, but it’s mostly just small habits. And honestly, it feels good to know I’m taking steps to stay safe. Better safe than sorry, right?
