British holidaymakers jetsetting off on their summer holidays have been warned of a popular new scam which could see them part way with hard earned cash on foreign soil. While a number of easily-identifiable scams have started to become phased out, cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new, unheard of cons.
The latest phenomenon, as reported by The Express involves a technique called 'shoulder surfing' - where criminals carefully watch over your shoulder as you use your digital device in public, hoping to latch onto some personal data. From online banking details to phone passcodes, hackers are on the lookout for any way to make a quick buck from cash cow tourists.
Cybersecurity Expert at NordVPN, Marijus Briedis, said: "While most travellers are trained to look out for pickpockets in popular destinations and not walk around with pockets of cash, today’s scammers are much more focused on your mobile than your money belt.
Read more: Expert issues travel warning to anyone who takes a suitcase with them on holiday
"The latest phenomenon we are seeing is ‘shoulder surfing’ where someone tries to steal your personal data by watching over your shoulder as you use a mobile phone, laptop or another device in public."
Fraudsters could then in-turn use sensitive information acquired to commit identity fraud, or to simply help them steal a device your using after they know the pin to unlock it. Thankfully though, there are a number of ways to protect yourself amid the abundance of scams currently circulating.
Use face recognition technology rather than a passcode
Marius said: "Theft becomes a lot tougher to pull off if they need your face to get their hands on your data. If you don’t have it set up on your phone, consider doing this before you travel, as it can take a while for the technology to get every angle of your face.
"If you do use your phone for contactless payments, make sure that you have FaceID or a password set up as a security measure before using it, as it could put your cards at risk."
Facial recognition software could help protect valuables like mobile phones and tablets in the event that their device is stolen, preventing thieves from accessing their spoils.
Shield your phone
Marius added: "When you see a beautiful view or popular attraction it’s easy to lose track of the people around you when trying to take the perfect snap. The process of unlocking your phone, taking a picture, and then logging in to your social media account reveals several sets of personal details, which may be enough for an alert criminal to make hay with your data.
"Queues at tourist hot spots are a particular risk, as it’s hard to resist the temptation to glance at your phone, even with others close behind you. Try and shield your phone from whoever may be lined up next to you."
Set strong passwords
Marius advised that device users set strong passwords to avoid being scammed by would-be criminals. He said that easy passwords like names, birthdates or the good old-fashioned '0000' or '1234' should be avoided at all costs.
You can also use two-factor authentication to keep phones incredibly secure.
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