Travel Securely - Part 2: Hotels
Hotels can pose a range of hidden security risks, from theft and unauthorized surveillance to data breaches. At Scout Security Group, we know the dangers travelers face and how to defend against them. Below is a quick rundown of our top security tips to help you stay protected during your next trip. If you need more in-depth guidance or tailored training, our team is ready to assist you before you head out. Don’t leave your security to chance—let us help you make sure your next stay is safe and secure.
Inspect Your Room's Interior: Take a close look at your environment. You don't need to be an FBI Agent to notice when you feel "off" or things look out of place. We live in a time where the barrier to entry to employ tiny 'spy cameras' is a $15 Amazon purchase, and those devices can be installed in virtually any void, crevasse, or device. We can recommend a variety of tools, trainings, and methods to check for these devices, but the fundamentals will always apply. Look for any subtle recording lights or a glint when shining a light into a dark void, and pay attention to any unusual wires or objects that seem out of place. Listen for any slight buzzing or humming sounds- this usually indicates a powered device which may be worth a closer look. Feel for items that have a shape irregular to the original manufacturing or heat emitting where it should not be.
Inspect Your Digital Signals: When you turn on your phone's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, what do you notice? Are there duplicate Wi-Fi networks with strong signals, Bluetooth devices requesting to connect, or alerts for new devices? These may be indicators of attack and deserve a closer look, alerts to staff, or avoidance all together.
Secure Your Valuables: Hotel room safes are notoriously easy to bypass. Default codes can be found via routine Google search, and hotel staff have back doors to accessing these safes in the event that you forget your combination. We highly advise you to bring valuables with you when possible. Otherwise, invest in your own locks or find alternate methods for securing your valuables - ask us for more recommendations tailored to your preferences.
Use a Door Wedge Alarm: Carry a portable door wedge alarm to provide extra security when you’re inside your room. This will detect and deter any unauthorized attempts to enter.
Deter Unwanted Guests: Create the illusion of occupancy when not in the room. For example, place the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your exterior door handle, and consider leaving the TV on when you leave.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Do not access sensitive accounts or share personal information over public hotel Wi-Fi networks. Instead, use a personal hotspot or cellular network. If public Wi-Fi cannot be avoided, make sure to use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.
Book with an Alias: This is considered an advanced tactic for most of our friends and customers. If you are a public figure desiring your privacy, victim of stalking or harassment, or simply interested in retaining your right to privacy, then let us know how we can help you. This tactic may also protect you from future data breaches of hotel logs (Consider the Marriott breach data leaked in 2018 which exposed the personal information of approximately 500 million guests)[1].
Counter-Surveillance: Consider using an old smart phone, Wi-Fi camera such as Nest or Ring, or Nanny Cam to watch your entry door when you are away from your room. This will help detect any suspicious activity, housekeeping or staff access, and may also serve as a digital record for legal protection. In the event that something goes missing or you experience an unauthorized entry, you will have tangible proof for insurance claims or reporting incidents to hotel management or law enforcement.
Footnotes:
1. New York Times, "Marriott Hacking Exposes Data of Up to 500 Million Guests," 2018. ↩︎
