Holidaymakers in the UK are warned not to take this photo
The average adult takes 14 selfies a day while on vacation. However, recent warnings are forcing us to reconsider our attitude toward using a camera abroad.
First, there was the news that posting any photos from your vacation could increase the risk of theft. And now it turns out that taking a picture of your boarding pass, even if it barely falls into the frame or is far away, can put you in even greater danger. This is reported by HuffingtonPost.co.
According to privacy researcher Bill Fitzgerald, the code on your ticket is more than enough to tell thieves everything "about you, your stuff, and where you're going."
Fitzgerald notes that since you provide the airport with your passport and driver's license information when you book your ticket, it's possible that fraudsters can find this information by simply scanning the code.
In fact, he recommends being extremely cautious with barcodes in general. "If you have a barcode on something, you don't throw it in the trash unless you want someone to get it. And you should definitely never post it on social media," he said.
How to stay safe?
First of all, you should make your social media accounts private, especially if you don't use them for work. And avoid posting personal information, such as your passport, driver's license, address, or even the front door of the new house you're so excited to share.
There are also basic rules of internet safety. For example, make your passwords as complex and varied as possible and only log in to trusted Wi-Fi access points.
The University of Missouri also recommends following certain vacation tips when traveling, such as: updating your devices before leaving home to ensure they have the highest level of security, and turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use, as they are all "possible attack paths."
Also, only use public computers for public viewing: do not share personal information on them.