According to ESET Southern Africa cybersecurity consultant Lucas Molefe, there is an increasing risk of cybercrime especially when travel planning.

Cautioning travellers, he said its important to always have your guard when making plans as most cybersecurity breaches these days take the form of phishing-based social engineering.

“Why break through thick firewalls or try to hack complex passwords when you can simply get someone to hand you the keys to their data and money? Scammers only need to find one cybersecurity gap for your trip to become far more expensive than you’d anticipated,” said Molefe.

He also highlighted that there are numerous parties involved including banks, booking agents, online platforms, and airlines.

“Booking flights or accommodations online often involves entering personal information on multiple platforms, each with its own level of security. Each interaction creates a potential entry point for cybercriminals, who can exploit these vulnerabilities to access or steal crucial data,” he added.

Molefe also said even if one of these platforms is compromised, your entire travel itinerary, including payment details, could be exposed to significant risk.

“It doesn’t get much safer once you’re travelling. Accessing the internet while on the move - whether to check emails, manage bookings, or handle banking transactions - poses additional threats, especially if you’re using unsecured public wi-fi networks.

“Cybercriminals can easily intercept data or deploy phishing schemes to steal your credentials,” he added.

To help travellers protect their personal information, Molefe has shared some essential tips on how to recognise and avoid phishing scams while also outlining essential strategies to prevent phishing attacks.

How to recognise phishing

According to the cybersecurity expert, phishing messages often mimic legitimate correspondence but can be identified through several tell-tale signs ranging from requests for personal information, poor grammar, unexpected contact, urgency or irresistible offers and suspicious domain names.

He pointed out that reputable organisations rarely ask for sensitive details via email, and that messages that push for immediate action or offer deals that seem too good to be true are often scams and cautioned travellers to be wary of emails from domains that don’t match the organisation’s official website.

How to prevent phishing

Molefe noted that it is important to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious messages.

“These could lead you to malicious websites or infect your device with malware,” he said.

The cybersecurity expert also said that it is pivotal to stay informed and keep up with reports on new phishing techniques to avoid falling into the latest traps.

“Guard your personal details and always verify the message with the sender or the organisation it claims to represent, using contact details you know to be genuine. Monitor your accounts and regularly check your online accounts for any unusual activity, even if you don’t suspect any foul play,” he said.

Molefe also advised travellers to use reliable security solutions by implementing a trusted anti-phishing solution can add an extra layer of protection.

“In the end, you are your own best multi-factor authenticator. If you have any doubt - or even if you don’t but are about to make a sizeable transfer - call or email a known, genuine contact at the organisation you’re trading with.

“Confirm that the details you’re using are legitimate and, whatever you do, do not click on links from unknown contacts,” said the cybersecurity expert.

In conclusion, Molefe said that as travel plans become increasingly digital, the need for cybersecurity grows more urgent.

“By staying vigilant and adopting safe online practices, travellers can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrime and enjoy a safer, stress-free trip,” he said.