Quick answer
Reviewed · 4 min read
Travel cybersecurity comes down to a few habits: update devices and turn on multi-factor authentication before you leave, use a VPN or your own hotspot instead of open Wi-Fi, charge from wall outlets rather than public USB ports, keep devices locked and with you, and carry only the data you need. Business travelers to higher-risk destinations may need clean loaner devices.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Before you go
- Update, back up and enable MFA
- Public Wi-Fi
- Use a VPN or your own hotspot
- Charging
- Wall outlet and your own cable
- At the border
- Devices can be searched; carry less data
The checklist
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What should you do to your devices before you travel?
Ten minutes of preparation prevents most travel security problems.
- Install operating system and app updates, which fix known security flaws.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication for email, banking and work accounts, ideally with an authenticator app rather than text messages.
- Use a password manager and a strong device passcode.
- Back up phones and laptops, and enable remote locate and wipe.
- Remove data and apps you won’t need on the trip.
Is hotel and airport Wi-Fi safe to use?
Treat it as untrusted. Criminals can set up fake hotspots with names like a hotel’s or airport’s network, and anyone on an open network may be able to see traffic that isn’t encrypted. Confirm the official network name with staff, use your company’s VPN, and save banking and sensitive work for your phone’s own data connection or hotspot.
Turn off automatic joining of open networks, and switch off AirDrop and Bluetooth discoverability in crowded places. A travel eSIM makes it easier to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether; see international phone plans and eSIMs.
Are public USB charging stations safe?
The FCC and FBI have warned about “juice jacking”: tampered USB ports or cables at airports and hotels that could install malware or copy data while your phone charges. Plug your own charger into a wall outlet instead, carry a power bank, and never use a cable you found plugged in or were handed as a freebie.
A charge-only cable, which carries power but not data, adds another layer of protection.
Can border officers search your phone or laptop?
Yes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has authority to search electronic devices at the border, though searches are rare: CBP reports searching the devices of about 55,000 international travelers in fiscal year 2025, out of more than 419 million processed. Officers may not use your device to access data stored only in the cloud, and they disable network connections before searching.
Other countries have their own powers. The simplest protection is carrying less: keep sensitive work data in secure cloud systems rather than on the device. See U.S. customs when returning home.
How should companies protect business travelers’ data?
Set clear rules in your travel policy: VPN use on any network outside the office, immediate reporting of lost devices and no sensitive data stored locally. For higher-risk destinations, many companies issue clean loaner laptops and phones with minimal data, then wipe them on return.
Watch for travel-themed phishing, too: fake itinerary changes, airline refund messages and booking confirmations are common lures. When in doubt, check with your advisor through a known contact, not a link in the email. Data protection belongs alongside duty of care.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to use hotel Wi-Fi for work?
What is juice jacking?
Can U.S. Customs search my phone when I return home?
Should I use a VPN when traveling?
What should I do if my laptop is stolen abroad?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.