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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1190434
Use 2FA We do talk a lot about two-factor authentication — but that 's because it 's one of the best security precautions you can take to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts. Many people find 2FA confusing or even intimidating if they haven't used it before. This is completely understandable: Like any technology, there's a bit of a learning curve at first (though we promise, it doesn't take long at all to get the hang of 2FA). We don't want to s tress you out before the holidays, so if you aren't using two-factor authentication, we aren't going to tell you to make a radical change and enable it on ever y single account and service you own. Instead, we'd like to of fer you a suggestion: Use holiday travel as an opportunity to dip your toe in the water with 2FA . There's bound to be one or two services that you'll use during holiday travel more than all the others: maybe Gmail for keeping in touch with folks back home, or Instagram for posting turkey and pie pictures. Before you leave, turn on 2FA for a couple of these services. It will keep you safer while you travel — and give you a head start on your New Year's cybersecurity resolutions. Get a password manager Another thing we of ten stress on the Checklist is the importance of using a password manager. For one thing, they're convenient — it 's much easier to remember one master password than it is to keep track of literally dozens of separate passwords for all of your accounts. But their main advantage is that they allow you to "do the right thing" with regard to password best practices: Create strong, unique passwords for each and every site, service, and app you use. Without password managers, it 's simply too tempting to slack off a bit on this crucial element of personal cybersecurity and reuse passwords across sites or use weak passwords. Unless you only have a handful of account s — or you're willing to commit multiple complex passwords to memory and s tore written backups in a safe deposit box — password managers are the only feasible option. As with 2FA , it's not necessary to treat password managers as an all-or- nothing affair. Consider installing a reputable product like 1Password or Dashlane before you go, and using it to manage passwords for a few of your most frequently used account s during your trip. If you have to sign up for something while you're on the road, you'll have a perfect opportunity to see how to use a password manager on a brand - new account . Once you see how easy a password manager is to use (and how much simpler it makes everything), you'll never go back. Planes, trains, and automobiles If you've followed the above advice, you're well on your way to having a safe trip. But there are a few things to keep in mind about the journey it self. Do these three things while on the road to make sure you arrive digitally safe and sound: