6 Ways to Protect Your Passport and Other Travel Docs from Cybercriminals - Before It's Too Late

As travelers, we often think that our physical documents, such as passports, boarding passes, and ID cards, are safe as long as we keep them secure. However, this assumption is far from reality. When these documents are scanned or stored in the cloud, they become vulnerable to cybercriminals just like any other digital file.

A recent report by NordVPN sheds light on how your travel documents can be accessed and exploited, and what you can do to protect them. The report reveals that your passport and other travel documents can end up for sale on the dark web, and how much resale value they can fetch.

How Your Travel Documents End Up for Sale on the Dark Web

The report, which was conducted in collaboration with international eSIM provider Saily, uncovered six ways that your passport and other travel documents can end up on the dark web. These methods include:

* **Scanned passport images**: Scanned passport images usually sell for anywhere from $10 to $200, depending on the quality. * **ID cards**: Scanned ID cards go for around $15. * **Genuine passports, driver's licenses, IDs, and permits**: Genuine passports, driver's licenses, IDs, and permits typically sell from $20 on the low end to $1,800 on the high end. Passports for EU citizens are especially pricey, going for as much as €5,500 (currently more than $6,300). * **Airline loyalty accounts**: Airline loyalty accounts with high-mileage balances can range from $35 to $700. For example, accounts with 1 to 5 million miles will fetch the top price of $700. * **Instruction manuals and reservations**: Instruction manuals known as "Flight & hotel cracking & booking manuals" can go for $150 to $250 on the dark web. Even reservations made through sites like Booking.com are popular items, with criminals reselling pre-booked trips at discounts of 40% to 50% off the original price – usually getting around $250 for each deal.

Protecting Your Travel Documents

Now that you know how and why cybercriminals exploit travel documents, here are six tips from NordVPN to help you protect yourself:

1. **Use a VPN**: Virtual private networks (VPNs) can help encrypt your internet traffic and protect your personal data when using public Wi-Fi networks. 2. **Use two-factor authentication**: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts, making it harder for cybercriminals to gain access to them. 3. **Avoid storing sensitive documents in the cloud**: If you need to store sensitive documents, such as your passport or ID card, consider using a secure password manager or encrypted storage service. 4. **Use a secure email provider**: Choose an email provider that offers end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication to protect your emails from interception by cybercriminals. 5. **Be cautious when sharing travel plans online**: Avoid sharing your travel plans or itinerary on social media or other public platforms, as this can give cybercriminals valuable information about your trip. 6. **Regularly update your software and apps**: Keep your operating system, browser, and other software up to date with the latest security patches to protect yourself from known vulnerabilities.

By following these tips, you can help protect your passport and other travel documents from cybercriminals and enjoy a safer, more secure travel experience.