Business Travel Tips

It's that wondreful time of the year, when we get to spend time with our families and take that well deserved vacation. While some of you may be able to get completely unplugged while you are away, some of you may need to bring you laptop or PDA along for the ride. For those of you that simply cannot leave technology behind, here are a few tips to ensure that your information remains safe while you check your e-mails, fine-tune that business proposal or just browse around the web either at the airport, your hotel room or an internet café.

Security Software: this may seem like common sense, but do not forget to update your anti-virus before you travel. Make sure your computer is password protected. Even a basic password can help protect your information if your device is lost or stolen.
While most wireless networks have some level of security, the more protection you have on your device, the better.

Keep it Simple: Take only what you need. Sometimes security can get very complicated at the airport and you may have to check you laptop. An alterante idea is to make sure that the hotel or the place that you are visiting has public computers and internet access. You can log onto your home or office computer using a remote server and a third party vendor, such as gotomypc.

Protect Yourself: Back up your data in case your laptop is stolen. Copy your essential files in a flash drive.
Hotspots: Software programs called packet sniffers can allow people to look at wireless transactions and capture the information being transmitted between the laptop and wireless access point. To avoid having someone hack into your system, turn off your bluetooth device and make sure your soft firewall is turned on.
Beware of Public Computers: Just as you need to protect your privacy on your own hardware, take extra precautions if you use a public computer. Remove all traces of your work by deleting any documents you have viewed, clear the browser cache and the history file, and empty the computer's recycling bin before you walk away. There is also a risk that a password-capturing program may have been loaded onto the computer. If you check your e-mail using hotmail, yahoo etc make sure you log out or sign out before you leave the computer.

If you leave your laptop at the hotel room or in any way unattended, use a cable lock, and be sure to lock your computer bag in the trunk rather than leaving it in the front or back seat. Taping your business card to the laptop helps ensure your computer can be easily returned to you in the case that it is lost.