Travel Tips for Netbooks & Laptops – Stay Connected – Stay Safe

Most of us can’t bear the thought of being offline for an extended period of time while we’re travelling, and more and more of us are taking our own laptop with us on our travels so we can stay connected. Here’s more top tips for holidays and travel with a laptop computer

Internet cafés

Internet cafés are springing up everywhere, and are generally fine for sending the odd email home — but be prepared for slow connections and be aware of potential security problems. It’s a good idea to set up a new, web-based email account specifically for travelling, so that if it’s hacked it doesn’t contain any critical information about you such as bank or employment details.  Avoid using banking sites, in particular, from internet cafés or other potentially untrustworthy places.

Travel with a laptop or netbook

Laptops and netbooks are hot on the heels of sunscreen and shades as the new travel necessities. Light and compact, netbooks are particularly travel-friendly, ideal for basic web browsing, checking emails, and editing documents — but they don’t have enough power for anything much more demanding. And with smaller keyboards and compact key spacing they may not suit those with chunky fingers. You’re also dependent on being able to find a Wi-Fi network in order to get online, so research your destination before you go and find out whether you will be able to find a Wi-Fi network at the airports and hotels you intend to go to.

If you’re thinking about investing in a new netbook, make sure it has a high performance, low power consumption processor such as the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom. You’ll need at least 512MB of RAM, but preferably 1GB or more. Check out the weight; the lightest weigh in at just under two pounds, while the heavier ones are closer to four or five. Find one that offers you at least two hours of battery life before you need to recharge. And consider a netbook with Linux as its operating system: it takes up far less space on the hard drive than Windows XP, for example, and is no longer the intimidatingly ‘techie’ system it once was.

Small “Internet appliances”, such as the Nokia N810, are another option instead of  laptop computers. They connect via  Wi-Fi networks, or via your mobile phone using Bluetooth. They have a small, slide-out keyboard, a full web browser, flash, and so on – but they aren’t practical for heavy usage such as work as the keyboard and screen are just too small.

If you do link to the Internet through your phone, however, be warned that data charges can be quite high when roaming abroad.  Check out mobile broadband monthly packages that can help contain costs. Some Internet Appliances have Wi-Fi as well as their Bluetooth, so free access to data is an option on some.

Getting through check-in with a laptop

Travelling with a laptop is now fairly standard in most destinations, but to keep it safe never put it in as checked-in baggage – keep it secure by keeping it with you as a hand luggage. As with other carry-on items, at security you will be expected to put your laptop into a plastic tray and through the x-ray machine, so keep an eye on it and pick it up as soon as it emerges.

Charge your laptop battery before you go to the airport, because you may be asked to boot up your computer when you go through security to show that it works normally.

Using Wi-Fi networks

Often our urge to get online and connect with friends and family can persuade us to overlook some serious security concerns.

An increasing number of hotels, airports, and even airlines are providing customers with Wi-Fi connections, but these networks can be vulnerable to hackers keen to steal your bank details, your money and even your identity. There are some basic precautions you can take to help keep your data safe while using wireless (Wi-Fi) connections when you’re travelling:

• Make sure your anti-virus / security software is up to date. Laptops and netbooks are just as vulnerable to viruses, Trojans, and worms as home computers.
• Look out for nosey neighbours: if you can read your neighbour’s magazine, they can see your laptop screen.
• Always use the access keys provided by the airport, airline or hotel to ensure you’re connecting to the right network. Often criminals create ‘dummy’ networks that appear legitimate, often featuring the name of the airline, hotel or airport – and if you connect to these they can use the connection to steal personal data from your computer, especially if you don’t have proper firewall and virus / spyware software.
• Play it safe by assuming you’re being spied on via the Wi-Fi network – never use it to access your bank account, or any other important data, and if you do, make sure you use secure https:// sites (check that the web browser is showing the padlock symbol).
• Turn off any Bluetooth devices, or set them to ‘hidden’ rather than ‘discoverable’.

If in doubt, don’t do it: dig out a good book, buy yourself a newspaper, and give your eyes a break from the screen.

Backing up your data

Once you’re there and connected, you still need to back up your data regularly in case you damage or lose your laptop. The easiest way is to buy a small USB storage device onto which you can save backups, and carry it separately from your laptop (in your pocket or day pack). They’re so cheap you could have a couple, and send one home periodically as an additional precaution. To keep your data secure, choose an encrypted USB device on which you can set up password protection, so that if you do lose it no one else can access your data.

You can also back up your data to an online service, such as BT’s digital vault.  These give you a very safe way to secure your data, and can be very cheap too, but of course you have to get data up to the service — not a problem if you are in a hotel with a Wi-Fi connection, but potentially costly otherwise.