The Online Account You Should Secure Before Travelling
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You are checking into your hotel when your phone suddenly asks you to verify your email account. You enter your password, but the login fails. Then you realise your account recovery code is being sent to a phone number you no longer use. What should have been a straightforward arrival becomes a stressful attempt to regain access while you’re far from home.
Email is particularly important because it often serves as the recovery route for other accounts. If someone gains access to your inbox, they may be able to reset passwords for shopping, travel, and other services.
Before leaving home, make sure your email account is protected with a strong, unique password and two-step verification. New Zealand’s National Cyber Security Centre recommends using multi-factor authentication wherever it is available.
Next, review your recovery details. Confirm that your recovery email address and phone number are current, especially if you have changed mobile providers or recently replaced your phone. If you rely on text messages for verification, consider what will happen when you use a foreign SIM or cannot receive messages on your usual number.
It is also sensible to save backup codes for important accounts before travelling. Store them somewhere secure and separate from your phone, rather than relying on a single device for every step of the recovery process. If you use a password manager, make sure you know how to access it and have a safe recovery method in place.
Take particular care with banking and airline accounts. Use the official apps or websites, avoid logging in through unexpected links in emails or messages, and check that you can contact your bank from overseas. If your bank offers travel notifications or additional security controls, review its guidance before departure.
Finally, update your phone and other devices before you leave, and avoid using unfamiliar computers to access sensitive accounts. If your phone is lost or stolen, having a plan to lock it remotely and recover your accounts can make a difficult situation easier to manage.
You do not need to spend your holiday worrying about cybersecurity. The goal is to make sure you can still access the accounts you rely on if your phone is unavailable, your number changes, or a login attempt raises suspicion. A little preparation at home can prevent a small technical problem from disrupting your time away.
