Put missing luggage and pickpockets out of your mind. Online threats could pose the greatest danger to your next trip.
Seth Ruden, head of worldwide consulting at BioCatch, a biometric startup, cautions that anyone could become a victim. However, since airline miles, travel awards, and other stored payment information on travel accounts can be profitable and readily monetized, frequent travelers are probably the targets.
More than ever, people are concerned about cybersecurity. Indeed, according to a recent Travelers Insurance survey, 62% of participants expressed concern about their online safety, the highest percentage in 11 years. (Business owners were surveyed by travelers, but other surveys indicate that their worries are shared by a wider audience.)
What are the 2025 traveler cyberthreats?
Travelers face a variety of cyberthreats, ranging from phishing schemes that aim to steal personal data to fraudulent travel websites and rental ads that leave victims stranded and broke.According to cybersecurity company Check Point Research, 1 out of every 33 newly registered domains related to vacations in 2024 were malicious or suspicious. According to the business, this category comprised phishing websites that mimicked well-known travel websites like Booking.com, Kayak, and others.
According to Frank Harrison, regional security director of the Americas at World Travel Protection, threat actors can now detect and target mobile devices, send malicious code to the device, access a device to track your location, turn on your device’s microphone, and intercept messages. To safeguard travelers and their data, cybersecurity solutions that prioritize risk minimization must be implemented.
According to Abhishek Karnik, McAfee’s head of security research, passengers are especially at risk when making reservations and when they are actually going.
He advises travelers to maintain their vigilance.
However, how?
Be mindful of your online hygiene.
The danger of cyberattacks when making online travel reservations or gaining access to unprotected networks abroad is a serious worry as technology continues to permeate every aspect of our travel experiences.
In 2025, you need to be vigilant, according to Peter Hamdy, managing director of Auckland & Beyond Tours.
He says, “I can tell you from my extensive experience in the travel industry that the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats will likely be one of the most significant dangers.”
Remind yourself to practice good online hygiene, which includes changing your passwords often, turning on two-factor authentication, avoiding phishing links, and never, ever providing your access codes or password to a third party. To be safe, you can also use a travel insurance app.
Employ a VPN
According to Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance, a virtual private network (VPN) can help you stay safer.
Travelers are often looking for free Wi-Fi, but he notes that many public networks you may connect to are unsafe and could compromise your personal information. When utilizing public Wi-Fi, I always advise tourists to encrypt their laptops or phones using a virtual private network (VPN).
Watch who you put your trust in.
The impersonation fraud is among the most prevalent social engineering risks that travelers may encounter. According to Karnik, the McAfee security expert, attackers may pretend to be hotel employees, tour guides, or even other tourists in order to obtain personal data on your devices.
He says that you should always confirm someone’s identity before disclosing private information or personal property.
Keep an eye out for phishing
Phishing, the practice of sending emails imitating a trustworthy company in an attempt to trick you into divulging personal information, is become far more complex.
Rishika Desai, a threat researcher at the predictive security company ForeAI, cautions that travel is a great place for a spoofing campaign. When costs are very high, a lot of people are searching for a bargain. Additionally, cybercriminals are posing as well-known, authentic brands.
The remedy? Never click on an email and click on a link from an unfamiliar source. To confirm any travel offer, always visit the company’s website directly.
Watch out for AI
Cybercriminals now have the means to quickly defraud even the most well-educated travelers thanks to artificial intelligence.
According to Cache Merrill, CEO of software provider Zibtek, artificial intelligence (AI) can produce phony reviews, more natural-sounding language, and persuasive websites. People are falling for AI-driven technology because it makes everything feel much more real.
Artificial intelligence isn’t flawless, but it is making it much harder for tourists to distinguish between genuine offerings and scammers. You can identify fake vacation offers and AI-generated text, images, and videos with a little effort. Alternatively, you may simply take the easy route: If an internet deal seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
Take this one step to keep yourself safe online.
Leaving nothing to chance is possibly the finest advise. Unfortunately, the most recent research indicates that passengers are winging it. According to a recent Opinium Research survey, just roughly two out of ten business travelers believe they must take a cybersecurity training course.
According to John Gobbels, chief operating officer of Medjet, a program that promotes travel security and aviation medical transport, do your homework and make sure you have a strategy in place for any potential issues that may come up. Having backup plans or systems in place makes things easier, and it’s always more stressful in the moment.
Additionally, there is cybersecurity assistance, which shields passengers from unanticipated circumstances. For instance, World Travel Protection and BOXX Insurance recently introduced cybersecurity support for business travelers that keeps an eye on new online threats and assists them in anticipating and averting any scams. Leisure tourists may soon have access to this kind of assistance as well.
Anticipating the unexpected has long been the golden rule of travel. That entails foreseeing and getting ready for the escalating threat of cybercrime in 2025. You may make sure that your excursions are characterized by happy discoveries rather than digital catastrophes by doing that.
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Christopher Elliott is a journalist, author, and consumer advocate. He established Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit that assists in resolving consumer issues. He publishesElliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and theElliott Report, a news site about customer service. You can contact him here or send him an email at [email protected] if you need assistance with a customer issue.
