Overview
The following guidelines will help you stay secure when traveling to an area that is considered an average risk region. Please consult the State Department's Travel Advisories Page to determine the current risk level of your destination. This guide is not sufficient for travel to high-risk countries or regions (e.g. China, Russia, the Middle East, DPRK, etc.).
- Bring your own cables and chargers: Plug into standard wall outlets only, and avoid using public USB charging stations.
- Enable screen locks: Ensure all devices have a passcode, password, swipe pattern, or biometric lock to wake-up or power-on.
- Keep an eye on your devices: Laptops and phones are frequent targets for theft, so keep them secure and stay aware of your surroundings.
- Use secure Wi-Fi: Choose secure networks over open, public Wi-Fi whenever possible. If you must use an unsecure network, avoid performing sensitive tasks like online banking or logging into your accounts.
- Only bring the data you need: Back up your devices before you leave, and move important photos or documents off of your travel devices in case they are lost or stolen.
- Plan for contingencies: Consider developing a hardcopy list of medical information and emergency contacts in case of a lost device. Using a VPN may also be helpful in accessing the internet.
If you’re traveling to a high-risk country or region, or have additional questions, please reach out to itsupport@williams.edu.