Discovering Invisible Journeys: Crucial Privacy Measures to Employ
In today's digital age, maintaining privacy is crucial, especially when traveling. Here are some practical tips to help you safeguard your personal information and ensure a secure journey.
Firstly, using VPN services with no-logs policies, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, combined with the Tor browser, can significantly enhance your online privacy. The recommended method is to use Tor over VPN – connect to your VPN first, then launch the Tor Browser. This setup encrypts your traffic via the VPN before entering the Tor network, hiding your real IP address from your ISP and Tor entry nodes.
To set up a VPN with Tor Browser, follow these steps:
- Choose a reliable VPN provider with strong privacy policies and good speed, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
- Subscribe and install the VPN app on your device.
- Configure the VPN by activating the Kill Switch feature and enabling obfuscation or stealth mode if necessary.
- Connect to a VPN server near your location for better speed and stability.
- Verify your IP address to ensure the VPN is working and masking your real IP.
- Launch the Tor Browser only after the VPN is active.
- Check your Tor browser IP via a Tor IP-checking website to confirm it differs from your VPN IP and real IP.
By using a VPN with Tor Browser, you benefit from hiding Tor usage from your ISP, masking your real IP from Tor entry nodes, and encrypting your traffic with both VPN and Tor layers. However, you are still exposed to potential malicious exit nodes on the Tor network, and some websites may block traffic from known VPN servers.
In addition to using VPN and Tor, smart travelers take extra precautions to secure their hotel rooms. They add their own protection layers, such as using a towel in the door safety latch, installing a portable door lock, and covering the peephole. Boutique hotels and guesthouses also offer secure entry systems and data protection measures, enhancing guest privacy.
Before traveling, it's essential to lock down your digital life by implementing full-disk encryption, securing devices, and adjusting privacy settings on social media accounts. Real-time social media posts present cybersecurity risks for travelers, making them targets for theft, stalking, or worse. In 2021, approximately 619,811 burglaries were reported in the U.S., many linked to social media oversharing.
When traveling, pay with cash-purchased prepaid cards, Paysafecard, or Monero cryptocurrency to avoid leaving digital payment trails. Choose boutique hotels and guesthouses that accept cash payments and require minimal identification over major hotel chains. Privacy-focused guesthouses also avoid connecting to major booking platforms.
Lastly, understand local surveillance practices and data collection regulations at your destination to maintain anonymity during travel. Travel insurance does not cover losses resulting from digital carelessness. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and private travel experience.
[1] https://www.nordvpn.com/ [2] https://www.expressvpn.com/ [3] https://surfshark.com/ [4] https://www.speedguide.net/ [5] https://www.torproject.org/
Adopting a combination of technology and lifestyle adjustments can help maintain privacy while traveling. Utilizing VPN services, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, in tandem with the Tor browser provides an additional layer of security, shielding your digital activities from potential threats.
Moreover, conscientious travelers take precautions to secure their hotel rooms by implementing measures like using towel door locks, installing portable door locks, and covering the peephole. These actions can help ensure a more private hotel room experience.
