If you have watched or heard of Netflix’s “Don’t F*ck With Cats” or “You,” you would know by now how important it is to be careful of what you share online. Characters in those series found tracking other people’s whereabouts through the web easy. Despite this, it has become a trend for travelers to take photos of their passports or boarding pass and post them on Facebook or Instagram. Most of these people do not realize that they are subjecting themselves to several cyber risks.

Boarding Pass Barcode

See the barcode on your boarding pass? You have personal information stored there. This information includes your first name, last name, middle name, birth date, email, frequent flier account, contact number, future flight details, and more!

Quoting Etay Maor, the Chief Security Officer of IntSights (a global threat intelligence firm): “People should treat their boarding passes the same way they treat their passports. You’d never leave your passport behind.”

Barcode Scanners are very accessible

If you throw, leave behind, or post a photo of your boarding pass, you give almost anyone access to the abovementioned information. All they have to do is visit sites like these or buy an actual barcode scanner.

After scanning the barcode, anyone can cancel your future flights, change your seat assignment, steal your unused miles, or change your airline account password.

Secure your personal information.

The safe way is to use a mobile boarding pass instead. These are usually available on your airline’s mobile application or sent by your airline to your email.

If you have a paper boarding pass, don’t leave or throw it anywhere, and resist the urge to take a photo of it and post it online.

If you want to share your adventure online, take beautiful photos of your vacation destination and post them instead! People would love to see the scenery you visit, the local food you eat, and the shopping centers you’ve been to so far.

Pro-tip: Take a screenshot of your mobile boarding pass and save it to the home screen on your cell phone. This will protect the battery on your device, keep the boarding pass easily accessible within a few clicks, and ensure your data stays safe.

Stay safe while traveling

Vacations should be your time to unwind, relax, and enjoy. Of course, you must also ensure you are safe the entire time. Seasoned travel agents can give you a complete list of things to watch out for before, during, and after your trip.

If you are thinking of going on a getaway soon, contact us. We’ll research and plan for you so you can enjoy a hassle-free vacation. Reach out to us today, and let’s get started.