Intel Security Study Clears Up Big Misconception

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Intel Security recently conducted a study titled “Digital Detox: Unplugging on Summer Vacation” to understand the ways users stay digitally connected while traveling and how they may unintentionally be putting their personal services and identity at risk. Around half of U.S. respondents said being unplugged means they did not make any phone calls, while 65% said this means having no internet access at all.

A misconception cleared up by Intel survey

Intel’s survey challenges a misconception in society that Millennials are the least likely to leave their devices behind on vacation. Around 49% of U.S. Millennials admitted that they were willing to unplug on vacation, while 37% of respondents between 40 and 50 years of age would do so.

The survey revealed that more than half or around 55% of U.S. participants who intended to unplug from their digital devices on vacation failed to do so. About 65% of the U.S. survey participants claimed that their vacation was more fun after unplugging as they felt less stress and were able to absorb their surroundings better.

Around 88% of Americans admitted that unplugging from work and life back home, did not stress them out, and 51% of those reported that they connected better with their travel partners they unplugged. While on vacation, American men are more willing to leave their phone at home. Only 37% of women said they would leave their phones behind, while roughly 47% of men said they would.

Vacations an active time for cyber-criminals

During vacations, travelers can be targets of cyber-criminals who count on device and human vulnerabilities to provide them with a point of access to consumers’ devices and data. Using unsecured laptops, smartphones and wearables, cyber-criminals can get access to sensitive private information. Also they can collect data from social channels.

Gary Davis, chief consumer security evangelist at Intel Security, said customers depend on tech to stay connected to their digital and physical worlds, whether at home, on vacation or at work.

“People are often quick to use devices on vacation to access sensitive information without considering the potential risk. As a result, it’s crucial to impart safe digital habits to help consumers stay more secure when traveling,” Davis said.

Intel Security also gave tips to minimize travel security risks, saying that creating social walls, being careful of what we are sharing, limiting use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and checking and monitoring accounts will help minimize security risks. Also one should always keep out for any suspicious activity in their bank account history.

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