All roads lead to Rome. Fashion, food, beautiful sceneries, art, or culture, you name it. Italy has it all. Named after Italos, a legendary king, this country has a story like no other.
Italians are famous for how well they dress, and “la bella figura” is a way of life. They craft the most beautiful luxury items, and their fashion houses are legendary. Valentino, Versace, Prada, and Dolce Vita are powerhouses when it comes to clothing and having the best collections. If you’re ready for a shopping spree, Italy’s the place to go.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a custom-made Italian suit or a dress. The buying experience is unparalleled.
However, there is one thing that could ruin your shopping spree – hackers.
Cybercriminals are rampant around the globe, and they often pick the places where they can pull off their attacks. All it takes is for you to connect to a public Wi-Fi, and they’ll drain your entire budget. You don’t want your card to decline the moment you want to make a purchase. That’s why you need to secure your gadgets before your trip.
Update your devices
That annoying update on your phone that you’ve been postponing for the last week? It’s more than likely it has an important security patch to make your device more secure. It will take a few minutes, but you’ll be much better off during your travels. Also, make sure you turn off location services and file sharing.
Public Wi-Fi
This is the culprit that takes many victims. It’s a hassle to change your SIM card and buy a network package if you’re going to Italy for a shopping spree. Using free Wi-Fi might seem like the best way to send your friends a pic of your new Prada bag. But a hacker is waiting for that moment to launch a MITM attack and drain your credit card.
Using a VPN
If you plan on connecting to public networks, then you absolutely need to use a VPN. It hides your IP address and keeps your data secure and encrypted. Of course, it has additional benefits that will help you bypass geographically restricted shows. You can keep watching your favorite series on Netflix. Plus, you could be using VPN to get cheaper flights by changing your IP address, especially if you’re traveling internationally all the time.
It’s incredibly handy if you need to check sensitive information like your bank account. You don’t want prying eyes snooping on what you’re doing on your phone or laptop.
Burner Phones
Having an expensive phone or case makes you a target if you’re planning to travel to Italy like a local. The best places are hidden in alleys, and even though there are a lot of people passing by, you never know if a thief or a pickpocket will stumble into you.
Carrying a burner phone that you don’t care about is a great way to blend in with the general public. Even if it gets stolen, your personal information will be safe and sound on your main phone. The probability of this happening is slim, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Lock your devices
Adding a PIN, password, or biometric lock is essential for your phone or laptop. If you forget it on a table in a restaurant by any chance, you wouldn’t want somebody to take it and run up a bill with international calls or purchases. Turn on every lock option that exists when you’re traveling, and turn on a remote wipe system. In case it gets stolen, you’ll be able to delete all the data remotely, ensuring no stolen personal information.
Watch your cards
Never let your card out of your sight, and if you’re using a VPN, keep track of the transactions. If there’s any unusual activity, call your bank and say that you’ve been scammed. There are loads of tourist traps that you can fall for, especially since most people don’t speak English, and they use their hand gestures to explain. When you’re using an ATM to withdraw cash, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t let people look at your PIN number.
Don’t overshare on social media
Don’t update your Instagram story the moment you sit down in a café. It’s tempting to do so, but if you’ve got a large following, locals will know exactly where you are, and they can find you. There are also social media lurkers that check café and restaurant tags to see what kinds of people go there to target. If you want to post where you’ve been, at least wait until you’re back in your hotel room or in another spot, so lurkers won’t be able to find you.
The bottom line
A shopping spree is a time when you’re stress-free from your day-to-day life. When you’re in Italy, you supplement it with great wine, pasta, pizza, and beautiful scenery. To ensure everything goes according to plan, you need to take some precautionary steps to protect your devices and bank accounts and enhance your traveling experience.
