Traveling internationally is something I’ve wanted to do more extensively for a long time, so at Peguicon 2018 I was very excited to attend a session on Tips for Traveling Solo!
In fact, I tried to graduate high school early to hike around Europe, but they talked me out of it. Then I tried to not go to college to do the same thing, but they talked me out of it. Then I tried to drop out of college to WWOOF around and write, but they talked me out of it.
As I am making changes in my life, getting away from being rooted in one place and farming and focusing instead on creative projects such as writing and game development, traveling is becoming a bigger part of my future. This time no one is going to talk me out of it! But going about it the right way is still important to me, so I wanted to share what I’ve learned about travelling safety. Travelling cheaply and finding work will be another post for later, but I highly recommend Journal of Nomad’s posts on Making Money While Traveling and The Ultimate Guide to Free Accommodations.
Concerns:
While traveling, whether abroad or close to home, the last thing we want is to lose something valuable like our luggage, or worse, our IDs, cards, phone or laptop. But we cannot control everything, and trying to will pile on the stress and take out most of the fun of traveling. Instead, know and accept that nothing is really full proof. If someone is really determined enough they can and will find a way to steal your things. Concentrate instead on protecting your essentials–IDs, cash, and cards, devices, and data (passwords, personal messages)–from pickpockets, scam artists, hackers, identity thieves, and border control. You can better protect these essential items by changing your attitude and upgrading your gear. My general rule for most things in life is “Plan for the worst, hope for the best” and it most definitely applies to these concerns.
The Solution: Starts with attitude, ends with gear!
Attitude:
Be aware of your surroundings.
Notice those who notice you. Keep track of those around you. If you can, keep your distance, watch environmental factors, distracted people are easy targets. Don’t be an easy target. Watch for doors and those standing near them who may be going to try for a clean quick get away.
Pretend that you know where you are, and where you are going. Walk with purpose. Stay in populated and well lit areas and keep a neutral expression. If you need to use a GPS, use headphones and keep your phone put away, keep volume low and stay aware. Staring at your phone makes you an easy and distracted target, staring at your GPS tells everyone around you that you don’t know the area and your distracted trying to find your way. If you are lost, try not to show your worry, if you’re having trouble controlling your facial expressions, turn it into an angry face. It’s ok to be rude, no one is entitled to your time and attention. Find someone with a child, a tourist stop/shop or restaurant, or find a police officer to ask directions.
Tip: Don’t take something from a stranger, they will try to then make you pay for it. Ignore them, walk away, eyes dead ahead. I’ll say it again: It’s ok to be rude, no one is entitled to your time and attention.
Tip: Write stuff down like your credit card company’s support numbers and your emergency contact numbers in case your wallet and/or phone get stolen you have a way to deal with the situation.
Device theft: keep your devices always in sight, and try not to be too flashy. Know who is watching, watch for that are trying to watch your screen. use a privacy screen so that it makes it difficult for others to see your screen. Cover your devices’ cameras with stickers or sliders. Don’t leave anything unattended at any time, instead ask someone nearby and get a verbal confirmation that they will watch your stuff. If they give you a verbal confirmation they will honor it!
Gear:
Clothing: Blend, don’t stand out, look like a local. If someone else asks you for directions, you’re doing well. Avoid using your back pocket and embrace your inner pocket. Avoid outlines of where items are, and telegraphic where your valuables are by unconsciously checking them or checking that they are there. Put money in your shoe, but should be easy to access and separate it, split up to a few different areas. Sew a pocket on the inside of your bras for stowing money/cards. Don’t leave all in hotel/where you’re staying.
Luggage: Use zip ties to lock your luggage, that way you can then tell if someone went into your bag. Keep your valuables always in a carry on bag. Leave your luggage at the hotel at the front desk, or in hotel safe with a personally set combination. You can also check your bags in most transit areas and museums too. Keep in mind, nothing is full proof, so keep valuables on you.
Tip: Get a money belt or a wallet or pouch that is placed under your clothes, if in a high pickpocket area, consider a decoy wallet and using zip ties to close the zippers on your bag/pouch.
Tip: Consider purchasing safety/security/anti-theft bags with steel straps so that they cannot be cut, also some with steel mesh bottoms so they can’t cut the bottom out. You can find them at amazon, LL Bean, and Eddie Bauer.
Attitude:
Leave behind what you don’t need, secure that which you do: IDs, Cards, Devices, Apps, Data.
Apps: Log out and uninstall apps that you don’t need. Bring only what you need installed and use a password manager. Unique passwords are passwords that you have never used, will never use again, and are only used by you. Strong passwords are not a dictionary word. They should be over 12 characters, and a variety of characters. Best is a pass phrase of 6 or 7 words. Password managers will store and generate strong passwords for you. Choose two factor authentication where you can. DuoPush, Google/Duo authenticator-one time codes, UVIC key.
Border Control: Be polite, be respectful. Like with cops, they can make your life very easy or very hard. So act nice while you have to deal with them. Agents are allowed to ask you to unlock your devices and your access apps. Try to make your devices seem non-threatening, but wiped devices can look suspicious. Enable a lock screen-ensure only notifications you intend to show are posting to the lock screen. Avoid finger print locks if possible because you can be compelled to provide fingerprint but not a password. Assume your phone/device has been compromised if someone takes it out of sight. What are your electronic rights? EFF vs. digital privacy at border control.
Data protection: Enable full disk encryption (FDE) on your phone and your laptop. Power down you device when not in use. Consider using a burner phone while abroad, especially if you are a journalist and/or activist. Buy when you arrive, then cease using after the trip.
Tip: The mail system is very secure, instead of risking your data with border control, consider mailing your phone to your destination. Or mail a yubikey.
Tip: Paint glitter nail polish over laptop screws, put stickers over ports and take a picture of them, so you’ll know if it’s been tampered with.
Public wifi: when in doubt, don’t connect. Look for https for the url. Broadcast yourself instead, avoid accessing sensitive data, turn off wifi and Bluetooth when not in use.
Charge responsibly: use an actual outlet, not the USB. People can put false covers over and access your data through the USB wall charging port. Bring your own charger and cord. Wireless charging is ok, just turn off NFS. Can use a USB condom.
Gear:
For devices: Bring portable batteries so you don’t have to worry about getting lost without a useable device.
For cell phones: Use RFID blocking wallet/bag/sleeve or faraday bag that blocks signals, blutooth, wifi, cell phone signals. You can find products at Eddie Bauer, Amazon, LL Bean, Scottevest.com
Tip: Use a chrome book: there are many chrome book models available, most you can get for under $250. They don’t keep anything on the hard drive, rather they back everything up to the cloud. As a result though they do not have a lot of storage space. Probably not the best gaming rig!
Tip: Consider a VPN, prevents spying, but expect to pay. Recommended: Private Internet Access, Tunnel Bear (has slow but free version) and Air VPN.
Hope this was helpful information for readers! Please comment with any additional tips and tricks you know of for traveling safety and gear to help with that.
