Latest news with #travelsecurity
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Public WiFi Warning Issued For All iPhone And Android Users
Be careful how you connect. There's no subject guaranteed to rile cybersecurity experts more than public WiFi security — not even the mythological horrors of juice jacking. Any suggestion users should beware connecting to one of the tens of millions of airport, hotel, mall and coffee shop hotspots will always spawn a tirade of sarcastic posts on social media. But sometimes the threat is real. Your devices can become 'serious liabilities,' the security team at Zimperium has just warned, 'especially during travel, when vigilance is low, free public-WiFi are everywhere, and attackers know exactly how to strike.' Let's be very clear. Public WiFi is broadly fine. As long as the network is real, you are using encrypted apps or websites, and you don't download any software or overshare any information with the captive portal that pops up asking you to connect. The FTC says as much: 'Because of the widespread use of encryption, connecting through a public Wi-Fi network is usually safe.' But even government advice is divisive on this subject, and TSA has a different message: 'Don't use free public WiFi, especially if you're planning to make any online purchases. Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.' Zimperium says there have been 'over 5 Million Public Unsecured Global Wi-Fi networks found since beginning of 2025, with 33% of users connecting to public unsecured networks.' And that 'during travel, these risks multiply.' Its warning is aimed at enterprises whose employees will be taking summer vacations with devices that connect to corporate email and other IT systems. 'Airports, hotels, ride-share hubs, and cafés all offer rich hunting grounds for attackers.' Public WiFi warning. Zimperium says 'employees, often multitasking or in a hurry, are far more likely to click, install, or connect without thinking twice.' The researchers list four types of attack that users should beware, even as they continue to connect on the go: Attacks are especially prevalent overseas, but Zimperium also warns that 'major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Miami, and Seattle are seeing increased mobile malware activity—particularly during peak travel months.' Staying safe is fairly straightforward — follow these five golden rules: You should also avoid installing apps from outside official stores and ensure your OS is up-to-date with the latest security patches. If you're running one of the billion phones with an OS no longer eligible for these updates, you should go get an upgrade. 'Whether you're heading to Southeast Asia or a European business hub,' Zimperium says, 'mobile malware doesn't discriminate by location—but it thrives on opportunity. And summer travel creates plenty of it.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
The 1 Boarding Pass Mistake You Should Never Make—It Could Cost You Your Vacation
Experts recommend against sharing photos of a boarding pass on social media. A family had their seats and meals changed, after sharing a selfie with their boarding pass, according to press reports. Luggage tags and baggage claim tags can also have a significant amount of personal information. Snapping photos and posting them on social media is a fun way to share a travel adventure. However, experts are sounding the alarm on one type of photo that could turn a dream vacation into a travel nightmare. Security experts have published a warning against posting screenshots or photos of boarding passes on social media. In recent years, online scammers and thieves have been able to extract significant personal information from a boarding pass, even if the confirmation number is obscured. As an added precaution, experts also advise not posting photos of luggage tags which can also contain additional personal information and other traveler information. The warning was authored by the United Kingdom-based law firm HD Claims, which says that advanced scammers can scrape the personal data from a QR code or a barcode on the boarding pass, even when the main personal information is concealed. In addition to not sharing the information on social media, the firm recommends shredding and destroying all travel documents, as they have observed cases where tickets had been picked out of hotel trash cans. 'This isn't just about social embarrassment, it's a serious data protection issue,' legal expert at HD Claims Adam Douglas shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure. 'If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether.'In May 2025, a family who innocently posted photos of their boarding pass online to celebrate an upcoming international trip became victims of a travel nightmare, according to a report detailing the alleged 'sabotage' from Wake Up Singapore. The Hong Kong-based family claimed in the report that their seats were re-assigned, and special kosher meals were replaced from their initial requests. Worst of all, the parents were separated from their two children, according to the report. When former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted his boarding pass for an upcoming flight on his Instagram account, his personal information was obtained by a third party. However, the self-described hacker who obtained Abbott's passport details and number used it as an opportunity to spotlight the importance of internet security, versus any negative outcome, according to a BBC report. In addition to not posting a boarding pass, there are many other easy tips to enhance safety when traveling. The United States Department of State recommends carefully researching a destination, not telling strangers where you are staying, locking windows and doors, and avoiding carrying anything expensive. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
7 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
The 1 Boarding Pass Mistake You Should Never Make—It Could Cost You Your Vacation
Snapping photos and posting them on social media is a fun way to share a travel adventure. However, experts are sounding the alarm on one type of photo that could turn a dream vacation into a travel nightmare. Security experts have published a warning against posting screenshots or photos of boarding passes on social media. In recent years, online scammers and thieves have been able to extract significant personal information from a boarding pass, even if the confirmation number is obscured. As an added precaution, experts also advise not posting photos of luggage tags which can also contain additional personal information and other traveler information. The warning was authored by the United Kingdom-based law firm HD Claims, which says that advanced scammers can scrape the personal data from a QR code or a barcode on the boarding pass, even when the main personal information is concealed. In addition to not sharing the information on social media, the firm recommends shredding and destroying all travel documents, as they have observed cases where tickets had been picked out of hotel trash cans. 'This isn't just about social embarrassment, it's a serious data protection issue,' legal expert at HD Claims Adam Douglas shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure . 'If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether.' In May 2025, a family who innocently posted photos of their boarding pass online to celebrate an upcoming international trip became victims of a travel nightmare, according to a report detailing the alleged 'sabotage' from Wake Up Singapore. The Hong Kong-based family claimed in the report that their seats were re-assigned, and special kosher meals were replaced from their initial requests. Worst of all, the parents were separated from their two children, according to the report. When former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted his boarding pass for an upcoming flight on his Instagram account, his personal information was obtained by a third party. However, the self-described hacker who obtained Abbott's passport details and number used it as an opportunity to spotlight the importance of internet security, versus any negative outcome, according to a BBC report. In addition to not posting a boarding pass, there are many other easy tips to enhance safety when traveling. The United States Department of State recommends carefully researching a destination, not telling strangers where you are staying, locking windows and doors, and avoiding carrying anything expensive.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Taking a summer trip? Don't throw out your boarding passes, officials say
Flyers taking trips this summer may look at their boarding pass and just see their entry to an airplane. But your boarding pass contains a lot more than just your plane seat and gate number. It also includes codes that communicate details about passengers and their itineraries to airport staff. These include unique alphanumeric codes that identify reservation details, acronyms identifying a passenger's place in boarding and letters used to identify a passenger's fare class. And there's the code that flyers dread seeing: SSSS, which means they'll get additional security screening. Here's what air travelers should know about the codes on their boarding passes. Travel publications like Conde Nast Traveler and security experts like Brian Krebs of KrebsOnSecurity urge travelers not to throw out paper boarding passes, even after their flight has ended. Related: As TSA reportedly changes its shoes policy, don't forget these other airport security rules Because a boarding pass contains so much personal information about a traveler, scammers who find discarded boarding passes can use that information to access their accounts. That's why travel and security experts also advise against posting photos of a boarding pass online. Experts recommend flyers shred their paper boarding passes after using, or board using their mobile phones instead. These are some of the most common codes seen on airline boarding passes: SSSS: Secondary Security Screening Selection. These letters mean the passenger has been selected for additional screening, which can include luggage searches, pat-downs and additional questioning at the TSA checkpoint. PNR: Passenger Name Reference. It's an alphanumeric code used to uniquely identify a passenger's itinerary and basic information about them. Travelers need their PNR to look up information about their flights. ET or ETKT: Electronic Ticket. Some airlines use these acronyms instead of PNR to list the code that contains information about a passenger's itinerary. FQTV: Frequent Traveler. This code indicates the traveler is registered with the airline's frequent flyer or loyalty program. SEQ or SEQ NO: Sequence number. It indicates the passenger's place in boarding. Flyers discussing the code on the travel website FlyerTalk said the most coveted sequence code is "SEQ 001," which means the passenger is the first to board. BCBP: Bar-Coded Boarding Pass. It's a bar code that contains passenger information and is scanned to board a plane. The International Air Transport Association sets standards for bar codes on boarding passes, outlined in a lengthy guide; these include the size of the code, its readability and securing codes for fraud prevention. S/O: Stopover. The flight includes a layover in one or more airports. SPTC: Stopover Paid by the Carrier. This means the flight includes a layover that lasts longer than a few hours. It also signals overnight accommodations may be included. A or F: Indicates a first-class ticket. J: Business Class. It indicates the passenger's ticket is for a full-price business class fare. Y: Economy Class. Most airlines use this code to indicate the passenger is in economy class. Related: California has some of the best and worst airports for business travelers in the US: Study The TSA does not publish guidance that explains why people are selected for secondary screening. Anecdotal evidence suggests people are selected for various reasons, which can include: Unusual or suspicious travel patterns. Mistaken identity, often because the passenger's name appears on a TSA watchlist. One-way international flights. Last-minute flights. Purchasing tickets using cash. Traveling to destinations flagged by the U.S. Department of State as high-risk destinations. Some places are more likely to trigger SSSS than others; The Points Guy wrote that it comes up frequently when traveling to and/or from Turkey. Behavior at the airport that the TSA thinks raises suspicions. Random selection. Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What boarding pass codes say about you. What Californians should know
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Fox News
American travelers should know escape routes at transit hubs after Iran strikes, security expert warns
After the U.S. airstrikes crippled Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night, a travel security expert said it is imperative for Americans to have a plan to escape to safety in the event of an attack on a travel hub. Robert McDonald was a Secret Service agent for more than 20 years and is an expert in executive protection, intelligence and protective travel logistics. During that time, he coordinated security for U.S. and foreign dignitary visits. Now, he is a professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven. "There are those type of areas where people are coming and going. People are transient. Lots of people go there every day," he told Fox News Digital in reference to airports and bus and train stations. "Anything can happen at any time. Again, you've just got to be able to be cognizant of your surroundings, be situationally aware and be able to get yourself out of a situation if something was to happen." "We don't wish anything to happen, but you just got to be able to get yourself out of a particular zone relatively quick," he said. The same principle applies to any crowded place, both indoors and out, McDonald said. Being "situationally aware" includes being on the lookout for anything that seems out of place in day-to-day life. He clarified that "out of place" is different for everyone. "For example, if you go to a mall or Times Square and you see a backpack lying on the corner with nobody around it, or it hasn't moved in a while, you might want to report that," he said. "If there are particular cars in and around your neighborhood that are not normally there, it could be nothing," McDonald said. "It could be a visitor to your neighbor, but it could be something out of the ordinary that you would want to potentially report." With regard to reporting suspicious activity, McDonald assured Americans that law enforcement entities want to be tipped off to anything suspicious, even if it turns out there is no threat. "Authorities want to hear from you and want to be able to investigate things that are out of the ordinary," he said. "You may be the only person that's noticing that something is out of the ordinary, and we have a responsibility to pass that information forward to authorities. Let them come and decide that the issue is a non-issue, right." Since Saturday's bombings in Iran, a leading state sponsor of Islamic terrorism, major metropolitan areas including New York, Los Angeles, Washington and Miami have stepped up security protocols. Fox News contributor Paul Mauro, a former NYPD inspector who monitored terror cells, told Fox News Digital that police are upping patrols, particularly at relevant religious sites, and also monitoring for online chatter from potential terror threats. "[NYPD] will put out special attention patrol cars at locations that could track to the conflict in places that have an Israeli connection, and there's a couple of Shia mosques – Iran is Shia – and there are a couple of Shia mosques," Mauro told Fox News Digital. "You never know what's going to develop. So [they'll] liaise with those communities. They'll talk to them, they'll put special patrol, special attention patrol." "You're going to look very closely online," he said. "You're going to be monitoring a lot of the online stuff. NYPD has a very robust cyber counterterrorism program, and you're going to do that very heavily."
