After going to Thailand and meeting a handful of people with friends who had contracted malaria on their trips, I vowed to start making a visit to the travel clinic part of my pre-trip prep work before going to at-risk countries. So, when my next trip to Colombia came up, I decided to follow through on this promise. When I researched online and checked out the CDC website, I found mixed opinions on whether to get certain vaccines for certain locations. I knew what to do next: get a professional opinion on what exactly I needed for the areas I was headed.

I contacted my primary care doctor, who referred me back to the CDC website, and after explaining that I’d already done the initial research, they decided to schedule me for a yellow fever vaccine. However, the yellow fever vaccine at the time was on national backorder (which it usually is), and my primary care doctor would not have it in enough time to administer it before my trip. The wild-goose chase to find a yellow fever vaccine led me to the Harvard Vanguard Travel Medicine Department (Editor’s Note: Harvard Vanguard Medical Clinic is now part of Atrius Health and operates under that name).

I made an appointment a little over a week before my trip. (Which is a big mistake, keep reading to see why). When I arrived, I met with a nurse who asked which areas I was traveling to and went over my immunization chart they had from my primary care office. Shortly after, the doctor came in and handed me a thick folder with information I didn’t even know I needed. She went over the Travax Traveler Health Report for Colombia, which included health concerns, requirements for entry (i.e. necessary visas, immunization requirements—some countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccine for reentry within a certain time period of entering their country if you’ve been to areas with yellow fever cases), recommended immunizations, travel advisories, general information (i.e. entry and exit fees, currency, unusual laws, driving laws, civil unrest warnings), embassy contact information, basic preventative measures, and finally a pre-travel checklist.

Access to Shoreland Travax reports are restricted to licensed professionals only, so you can only receive this information at a clinical visit.

We also went over a detailed map of the country with at-risk areas for yellow fever and malaria and determined I should take malaria pills and get the yellow fever vaccine since I was going to a national park. She also recommended I get the typhoid vaccine since mine was outdated and gave me a prescription for traveler’s diarrhea medicine since most areas in the country are at high risk.

She also helped me register in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) and verified my travel insurance coverage through work with GeoBlue. I also got a handy over-the-counter travel medicine/product list to keep for future travels.

Overall, I had a surprisingly pleasant experience and will make sure to visit the clinic before any travels to destinations where I am unsure of what health and safety precautions I should take.

Things to Consider Before You Go to a Travel Clinic

The CDC website is a good place to start; however, the amount of information can be overwhelming and sometimes vague or conflicting. If your primary care office has its own travel medicine department, call them first and see what they recommend. In some cases (like mine) you may end up needing additional vaccines or prescriptions, so having an appointment or consultation is best in person so the doctor can order everything you need at the time of your visit. If your primary care office does not have a travel medicine department, call around and find a clinic covered by insurance in your area, as consultations and vaccines can be pricey if not covered.

Keep in mind that some vaccines can take up to six weeks to be active, so you will need to make your visit well in advance (something I will make note of for my next trip). Also, some vaccines cannot be given at the same time, or need to be given in doses, so it’s extra important to give yourself plenty of time in advance for the necessary vaccinations.

What to Bring With You to a Travel Clinic

A copy of your itinerary or at least a list of places you are going to as well as an updated immunization list if you are visiting a clinic outside of your primary care office. Also make sure to notify the clinic of any allergies, especially to medications.

What to Expect at a Travel Clinic

My visit was short and sweet. I got all of the information (and more) that I needed. My two shots were administered at the time of my visit and I filled out a card to keep with my passport verifying I had the yellow fever immunization.

Can I Get a COVID-19 Test at a Travel Clinic?

The answer is: it depends. Certain locations, such as PassportHealth in the Boston area, are offering COVID testing but not every clinic will provide this service. You can filter your search on the International Society of Travel Medicine’s website for clinics that will perform and document the necessary COVID tests for travel or any other specific services you require. To make an appointment to get a COVID vaccine before your next trip, you can use the Vaccine Finder tool linked from the CDC’s website to find a location near you.

Preparing for Your Trip

In addition to any prescriptions needed, this basic list for health and safety comes in handy for international travel:

• Antihistamines: Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Claritin
• Pain/Fever Relief: Asprin, Ibuprofen, or Tylenol
• Insect Repellent: 30 percent DEET spray, and permethrin clothing spray
• Anti-Diarrhea and Rehydration: Loperamide, Pepto Bismol, Pedialyte powder packets, Gatorade powder packets
• Probiotics: Culturelle
• Motion Sickness: Meclizine
• Other Supplies: Hydrocortisone cream, flight compression socks, digital thermometer, bed net for mosquitos

We also have a handy first-aid packing list that you can download, as well as nine over-the-counter medicines you should always pack.

After Your Trip

Make sure you take all of the recommended doses of your prescriptions, as oftentimes it’s necessary to take them for a few weeks after travel. Watch for any signs of diseases, as symptoms can have delayed onset.

Editor’s note: This story was originally written in 2015, it has been updated with the latest information.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Visiting a Travel Clinic appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If you’re planning a trip to Denmark, Italy, or the United Kingdom, the U.S. State Department urges you to exercise increased caution. In September, these popular European vacation destinations had their warning levels elevated due to the risk of potential terrorist attacks.

The Travel Advisory for each country was raised from Level 1: Exercise normal precautions to Level 2: Exercise increased caution. The State Department warns that in these destinations, “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.”

If you do decide to travel to Denmark, Italy, or the United Kingdom, the State Department advises following these safety tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in your destination on social media to receive important updates.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
• Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Several other European countries are already at a Level 2 Travel Advisory, including:

• Albania
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• France
• Kosovo
• Serbia
• Spain
• Turkey
• Germany

The post US Increases Travel Warnings for Three European Countries appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Divide Money

Even if you disregard all other advice about carrying money, take this tip to heart: Whenever possible, divvy up your travel cash and even credit cards into multiple safe spots. If you have all your money in one place, it only takes one incident for a thief to totally wipe you out.

When possible, leave all the cards and cash you won’t need immediately in a secure location in your hotel or vacation rental. And when you’re out and about, keep some of your money attached to your person (see below for ideas about how to wear money securely) and some in a bag you carry. If you’re smart about how you distribute your funds, you’ll still have enough money to get to a police station or back to your hotel in the event your bag gets lost or snatched.

Opt for On-Body Storage

Under-clothing storage accessories have come a long way since neck pouches and money belts came onto the scene. Though those classics are still effective, newer options include boots with zippered stash pockets, normal-looking belts with space for cash, and packs designed for running or working out.

Note that on-body storage isn’t always a good wallet alternative since you don’t want to have to fish around inside your boot for cash while buying something at a store.

Keep Small Bills Handy

Changing or withdrawing large amounts of money minimizes the fees you’ll pay to get local currency, but it also means you’ll be traveling with far more cash—and larger bills—than you’d likely have on you at home. In addition to dividing your money, it’s also wise to make smaller denominations of currency easily accessible. That way, you won’t pull out the local equivalent of a $100 bill while attempting to buy a 30-cent souvenir.

Make money preparation part of your morning routine: As you’re packing your bag, make sure you’ve got a variety of small bills and coins at the ready for purchases such as food, souvenirs, and attraction entry fees. Squirrel away larger bills in your secret on-body stash, or tuck them into a secure part of your wallet or bag.

Carry an Anti-Theft Bag

If garbage-bag commercials have taught us anything, it’s that some bags are tougher than others. The same goes for travel purses, backpacks, and bags—some, designed specifically for travel, have features such as cut-proof, steel-cable-reinforced shoulder straps; slash-proof fabric; and locking zippers.

Since elements like these slow down thieves, anti-theft bags can do a decent job deterring opportunistic pickpockets. Anti-theft bags are available online from Arden Cove, Pacsafe, Travelon, and other retailers. Consider your purchase an investment that might save you some money.

Trim Your Wallet

Are you going to need your library card when you’re 6,000 miles from your local branch? Probably not. Before you leave, take the time to go through your wallet and take out everything except the necessities (a primary credit card and a backup, an identification card, an insurance card, etc.). Not only will it help you travel lighter, but if your wallet does get lost or stolen, you’ll have fewer items to replace.

Use a Decoy Wallet

If you’re traveling in a place known for pickpockets or muggings, consider getting a cheap wallet that looks real enough to use as a decoy that you can keep in your pocket or bag. Pad the wallet with some small bills and make it look more real by slipping in one or two of those sample credit cards you get with offers in the mail. A dummy wallet can stop pickpockets before they get to your real wallet.

Buy a Travel Wallet

In addition to a decoy wallet, you might also consider a wallet that you reserve specifically for travel. There’s one simple reason for this: If you’re the type of person whose day-to-day wallet is packed with cards—gym memberships, prepaid coffee cards, frequent-buyer punch cards, and the like—the card pockets are likely to be stretched out and won’t be able to securely hold just an item or two. By keeping a travel-only wallet at the ready, your cards will have snug pockets that they can’t slip out of accidentally.

As an added bonus, you won’t have to unpack and repack your day-to-day wallet; you can simply transfer what you need for your trip to your travel version.

Adapt to the Local Money Culture

Being prepared to pay your way on vacation means different things depending on where you are. In a cash economy, you’ll need to make sure to have a variety of bills and coins on hand at all times, but your credit cards will likely just collect dust.

However, in much of Europe and parts of Asia, where automation is common and chip-and-PIN credit card technology is standard, having a compatible credit card will come in very handy, especially if you find yourself at an unattended gas station late at night or a train station after hours. Also, keep in mind that in some countries, U.S. dollars are an official or unofficial secondary currency, so it’s wise to keep a few greenbacks ready.

Use Money Alternatives

In high-traffic settings such as metro stations and close quarters like bus lines, it’s nice to be able to forgo cash or credit card transactions and rely instead on a multi-use ticket or other cash alternative. If you’re in a city where the public transportation system offers multi-use cards (for instance, London’s Oyster card or San Francisco’s Clipper card) or where you can buy a bunch of tickets at once for a discounted price, then take advantage. You’ll reduce your chances of losing your wallet simply by retrieving and stowing it fewer times.

Stow Valuables Securely

Sometimes the best way to carry money is not to carry it at all. Hotels’ in-room safes are generally pretty secure, and if you’ve got an item (or a wad of cash) you’re particularly nervous about, check to see if the hotel has a safe-deposit box behind the desk. If you do use a hotel lockbox of any sort, remember to retrieve your items when you leave. In the rush to pack up and depart, out of sight can easily mean out of mind—until you’re on your way to the airport. If you’re a forgetful type, leave a colorful note on top of your suitcase.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post 10 Smart Ways to Carry Money While Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Staying hydrated while traveling is key to feeling good, but you can’t bring a bottle of water through airport security… or can you? The secret to bringing a full bottle of water through TSA is simply freezing it. 

Water in any quantity is allowed through airport security as long as it is frozen solid. A TSA Spokesperson told SmarterTravel, “Frozen water bottles are allowed in carry-on bags. The containers can be more than 3.4oz each as long as the item is completely frozen solid when presented for screening.” 

However, this trick only works for fully frozen liquids. The TSA clarifies, “If it’s slightly melted, slushy, or there’s liquid in the bottom of the container, it must be 3.4oz or less.”

If I’m traveling a far enough distance from the airport that my water will be partially melted by the time we get to TSA, I simply drink the small amount of water that’s collected at the bottom right before I go through security screening to avoid any hassles.

Once you’re past airport security, allow your water to melt (topping up the frozen part with water from a bottle refilling station can help it melt faster), and you’ll have ice-cold water for your journey—for free!

The frozen water bottle trick can also be useful if you want to bring food through airport security. If you’re bringing in a meal that you want to keep cold, pack a small cooler and use frozen water bottles instead of ice packs. It will keep your food at a safe temperature, and you’ll also have a nice drink to accompany your meal once the ice melts. (Just remember that the 3-1-1 rule still applies to food, so things like yogurt still need to be less than 3.4oz.)

Of course, if you don’t want to wait for your water to melt, or prefer room temperature water, you can simply bring an empty bottle through airport security and fill it up once you’re past TSA. Most airports have free filtered water stations where you can fill your bottle.

The post Can You Bring Ice Through TSA? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Check for Bedbugs

The very first thing you should do when you enter your hotel room is check for bedbugs. Put your luggage inside the bathroom (ideally in the bathtub), where bedbugs are the least likely to be hiding. Next, follow this easy guide to identifying signs of bedbugs. 

If your room does have bed bugs, you’ll want to know before you settle in, as these pests are extremely easy to pick up and carry with you to your new room—or worse, back home.

Check the Alarm Clock

In-room alarm clocks are being phased out of hotel rooms in favor of smartphone docking stations, but if your hotel room still has an old-school clock, make sure you check to see if the alarm is set. 

If the last guest set a daily alarm for 6 a.m. and never turned it off, you could be rudely awakened earlier than you wanted to. 

Better yet, unplug the clock entirely if possible. This will prevent unexpected alarms and help you sleep better without the glowing light (unless the clock has a battery backup). 

Check Hiding Spots

Before letting your guard down in your locked hotel room, check these hiding spots to make sure you really are alone: under the bed, in the closet, and in the shower. An intruder could have slipped in before you and could be lying in wait—or something more gruesome. Snopes lists a number of actual incidents in which guests checked into a hotel, complained about a horrible odor in their room, and later discovered a human body hidden under the bed or mattress. They had literally been sleeping on top of a corpse. 

Study the Emergency Escape Route

Emergency escape maps are required by law to be posted on the back of the main door to every hotel room. Take a few minutes to orient yourself in the hotel building and to familiarize yourself with the fastest exits (as well as backup routes in case the closest path is blocked).

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use this information during your stay, but in the worst-case scenario of a fire or other emergency where every second counts, these few minutes of preparation could save your life.  

Deadbolt the Door

Mistakes can be made, and it’s not uncommon for someone to be given an incorrect room assignment and the key to your room—meaning another guest could accidentally walk into your room, even if the door is locked. When you’re inside your hotel room, always activate the deadbolt or security chain to prevent intruders (or just unexpected visits from hotel staff). 

Sanitize

Your room may look clean, but that doesn’t mean it’s sanitary. Wipe down germ hotspots (like light switches and doorknobs) with an antibacterial wipe to stay healthy. And be sure to wipe down the television remote control (or better yet, put it in a bag or shower cap) before using it, as it generally isn’t cleaned in between guests. 

Jettison Any Decorative Items From the Bed

It’s a mystery to us why hotels insist on putting decorative throw pillows on beds (that clearly can’t be washed). Make sure your sleeping surface stays clean by removing anything that isn’t obviously laundered when the room is cleaned—including throw pillows and bedspreads. 

Wash Your Hands

You’ve just come from a plane, public transportation, or road trip with rest stops—washing your hands as soon as you arrive in your own private bathroom is a smart move. 

The post 8 Things You Should Always Do When You Check Into a Hotel Room appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Why You Should Always Block the Peephole in Your Hotel Room 

Although peepholes are designed to offer a one-way view from inside your room to the exterior, they can be reversed fairly easily—allowing anyone outside of your room to see in.

A recent viral video shows a guest checking the peephole in her room at a Las Vegas hotel, only to discover that it offered a clear view inside her room. 

There was also the famous case of reporter Erin Andrews, who was the victim of a similar hotel room peephole tampering. In this incident, Andrews was illegally filmed through her room’s peephole.

Even if your peephole hasn’t been tampered with, there are small devices available called tactical door viewers that can reverse the visibility of peepholes without altering the peephole itself. 

How to Protect Yourself

There are a few simple ways you can cover the peephole in your hotel room while still making it easily accessible in case you need to see out. 

• Stuff a small piece of paper inside the peephole
• Cover the peephole with a bandaid
• Use a tissue or piece of toilet paper to block the peephole

The post The Shocking Hotel Room Security Feature That Can Be Turned Against You appeared first on SmarterTravel.

In some cases, this is a mistake that can be easily rectified if you know what to do. In other situations, there’s nothing you can do to get expedited screening. Here’s what you need to know if you don’t get PreCheck on your boarding pass despite being a Trusted Traveler program member. 

Why Didn’t I Get TSA PreCheck on My Boarding Pass if I’m a PreCheck Member?

There are five reasons reasons that your boarding pass won’t show the PreCheck symbol if you’re a PreCheck/Global Entry member:

Your Known Traveler Number Isn’t Attached to Your Booking

The first reason is that the airline may not have received your known traveler number. This is the number that you’re issued when you become a member of a Trusted Traveler Program (like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry). Sometimes, the airline doesn’t ask you to input this number when buying a ticket, or there was an error and the number didn’t transfer from your frequent flyer profile to the reservation.

You can fix this by calling the airline and asking them to add your known traveler number to your reservation and reissue the ticket. You can also try adding the number yourself online and re-downloading your boarding pass, but you might have to call the airline in order to get the ticket reissued so the TSA PreCheck logo populates. 

You’re Flying an Airline That Doesn’t Participate in TSA PreCheck

Not all airlines participate in the TSA PreCheck program, so if you’re flying with a carrier not on this list, you won’t be eligible for PreCheck despite being a member. 

Your Membership Has Expired

Before you get mad about your lack of PreCheck, double check that your membership has not expired. You can look up your membership status here.

There’s an Error on Your Booking

A typo in your name, date of birth, or Known Traveler Number will throw off the system and prevent you from being issued TSA PreCheck. Carefully review the information on your boarding pass and airline profile and make sure it exactly matches your Trusted Traveler profile. Even something as small as a hyphen can trigger an error. 

You’ve Been Randomly Selected for Extra Screening

As an extra security precaution, the TSA does not guarantee that trusted travelers will receive PreCheck every time they fly. According to the agency, “TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.”

What Should I Do if I Didn’t Get TSA PreCheck on My Boarding Pass?

If you’ve checked that your reservation has your correct Known Traveler Number, date of birth, and name—and your membership is still valid—you can submit an online form asking the TSA to look into why you didn’t get PreCheck on your boarding pass.

The TSA asks that flyers complete the form three days before travel so that they have time to troubleshoot the issue, but this can be challenging since you generally can’t check-in online more than 24 hours before your flight. If you need urgent help, try contacting @AskTSA on Twitter (X) or Facebook Messenger. 

The post Why Didn’t I Get TSA PreCheck on My Boarding Pass if I’m a PreCheck Member? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Fear not. This handy flight checklist will help you get to the airport, through security, and to your gate with ease.

Before You Leave Your House

Before you even start to pack, consult this packing list to make sure you’re well prepared.

• Check in online to avoid a long wait at the airport. You can usually check in online up to 24 hours before your flight.
• Find out if your carrier charges extra baggage fees if you check your bags in person at the airport. Save yourself time and money by checking your bags online at home before you go.
• Verify what the airline’s weight limits are for baggage. To avoid extra fees, weigh your bags at home using a small luggage scale. If they are overweight, remove or redistribute some items, or plan to pay extra.
• Make sure you have all your travel documentation in one place (purse, carry-on, etc.) that’s easy to access. Add your hotel and airline’s phone numbers as well as the emergency number at your destination into your phone.
• Make extra copies of important travel documents, ID/passports, key phone numbers, etc. It’s advised to have a copy for each bag.
• If you’re traveling with a carry-on bag, make sure there are no full-size toiletries inside. All liquids and gels must adhere by the 3-1-1 rule, and be stored in a clear plastic quart-sized bag. For more information, see Airport Security Frequently Asked Questions.
• Ensure you’re not traveling with any prohibited items. If you were planning on bringing such items with you, ship them instead—otherwise they’ll be confiscated at the airport.

At the Check-in Gate

Once you’ve arrived at the airport, you may need to head to the check-in gate, depending on what you did online before you left your home.

• If you’ve checked in online, drop off your baggage (if applicable) and head to the security line.
• If you haven’t checked in online prior to arrival, check in at a kiosk or in person at a check-in desk.
• After checking in by kiosk, drop off bags at the appropriate counter.
• Add your baggage claim receipt to your collection of travel documents. If you have connecting flights, especially those on separate carriers, it’s especially important to keep your baggage claim tag with you to avoid any delays or snafus.
• Get your ID and boarding pass out for the security line.
• Be sure to throw away any bottles of water, cups of coffee, or other liquids or gels that may be confiscated at security.

At Security

Take stock of the following steps before getting in the security line.

• Have your ID and boarding pass out and ready for the TSA official.
• Take off your shoes, belt, and any jewelry that may set off the metal detector. Make sure there is no loose change or other items in your pockets. Place all items in a bin on the conveyor belt. (Note that you can skip some of these steps if you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.)
• If you have a clear plastic bag of liquids or gels in your carry-on bag, take it out and place it in a bin next to your shoes, belt, etc.
• Place your bags and coat on the conveyor belt.
• If you are traveling with a laptop, take it out of its carrier case and onto the screening belt. If your laptop is in a checkpoint-friendly case, it does not need to be removed from its outer bag.
• Wait until you are called to go through the metal detector or full-body scanner. If asked, show the TSA official your ID and boarding pass. Acceptable forms of ID include passports, driver’s licenses, military IDs, and permanent resident cards, among a few others. (Make sure your ID is compliant with REAL ID requirements.)
• Comply with any TSA official requests, such as an additional bag inspection or personal screening.
• Reclaim your items and head toward the gate.

At the Gate

You’re almost done. Before you board the plane, check the following:

• Make sure your carry-on fits the aircraft’s overhead dimensions. Usually there is a sample crate at your gate to determine if your bag will fit.
• Check to see if there is meal or snack service onboard your flight. If not, you may want to purchase food and drink from a concessionaire in your terminal or at a food court.
• Wait for your clearance to board the plane, then make sure to get in line with your designated group (check your boarding pass to see which group you’re in). If you have small children or special needs, you may be able to get advanced boarding privileges. See the gate agent if you have any questions.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2010. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Heading to the Airport? Use This Pre-Flight Checklist appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Previously, members would visit a Global Entry kiosk to have their photograph taken before proceeding to a CBP officer for verification. 

Now, Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app from the Google Play or Apple App store and skip the kiosk entirely. Simply take a selfie using the app, and you’ll receive a mobile receipt to show the CBP officers to complete the entry process. 

“The new Global Entry mobile application leverages the latest technologies in order to enhance security while further improving the travel experience for CBP’s trusted travelers,” said CBP’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller, in a news statement.

The app is free to download but can only be used by Global Entry members. A Global Entry membership costs $100 for a five-year membership. 

Where Can You Use the Global Entry Mobile App?

The Global Entry app can only currently be used at seven airports:

• Seattle Tacoma International Airport (Seattle, Washington)
• Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, California)
• Miami International Airport (Miami, Florida)
• Orlando International Airport (Orlando, Florida)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (Dulles, Virginia)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston, Texas)

The post Global Entry Just Got Even Faster With New Mobile App appeared first on SmarterTravel.

What is Juice-Jacking?

“Juice jacking,” as the travel scam is called, targets desperate travelers in need of a charge. Daniel Smith, a security researcher at Radware explains how this works. “Attackers can use fake charging stations to trick unsuspecting users into plugging in their device. Once the device is plugged in the user’s data and photos could be downloaded or malware can be written onto the device.”

Hackers can download anything that is on your phone, since the charging port is doubling as a data port. We’re talking passwords, emails, photos, messages, and even banking and other personal information via apps.

There have been several campaigns to increase public awareness about the scam since 2011, when the term juice-jacking was first coined by investigative journalist Brian Krebs. This past April, the FBI Denver official Twitter account tweeted a warning stating that “bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices” and that travelers should avoid using unknown charging cables and plugging directly into public USB ports. 

Sounds scary right? While it never hurts to be protective of your personal data while traveling, how worried should you really be about juice jacking at the airport?

How Common is Juice-Jacking?

With all the official warnings cropping up over the past decade, it’s easy to assume that hackers are draining your data every time you enter the terminal. However, it seems that anxious travelers can breathe a small sigh of relief. 

“There are no documented cases of juice jacking ever taking place in the wild,” says Dan Gooden, Senior Security Editor at Ars Technica, “Left out of the advisories is that modern iPhones and Android devices require users to click through an explicit warning before they can exchange files with a device connected by standard cables.”

Even though the likelihood of becoming a victim of juice-jacking is low, there are easy ways to eliminate the risk altogether.

How to Prevent Juice-Jacking

If you find yourself always on low battery and relying on public charging stations, there are products out there that will protect your phone data while charging in public spots.Consider purchasing a super tiny data blocker, which is a “USB defender” that protects any data from being stolen off of your phone.

Avoid public charging stations altogether by investing in your own personal portable battery pack. You won’t need to fight for space at the charging station or hunt down an errant outlet in the terminal. You can also charge your phone on the plane, bus, train, car, or while walking around outside where outlets are not readily available. 

Best Portable Cell Phone Chargers

The best portable battery packs are lightweight, hold at least one to two full smartphone charges before needing a recharge, and are TSA-compliant (operating below 100 watt hours or 27,000mAh).

Biolite PD Charge 20

The Biolite Charge 20 PD is the smallest model from the Biolite Charge series. It charges via USB–C (in/out port), features two USB-A charge-out ports, and will charge a standard smartphone 1.5 times. 

iWalk Small Portable Charger

This ultra-small portable charger is perfect for iPhone users with limited luggage space. It fits easily inside a pocket or small purse and is compatible with iPhone model 6s through 14 Pro Max.

Anker Portable Charger

Despite its small size, the Anker Portable Charger packs a powerful punch, charging a smartphone up to 2.5 times (make and model dependent) before needing to be recharged.

Carol McPherson contributed to this story.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post How Worried Should You Be About This Travel Scam? appeared first on SmarterTravel.