Vacations and IT – 4 Tips for a Safer Summer

1. Set up an auto-reply for your email

Setting up an out-of-office reply in your email is an easy way to let your colleagues and contacts know that you’re away and enjoying the sun. Follow these simple steps to set up an out-of-office reply:

1. Open Settings in Outlook
2. Go to Accounts > Out-of-Office.
3. Set the start and end dates for the out-of-office message.
4. Write your message.
5. Save your changes.

When you set your vacation status in Outlook, Teams automatically syncs your status. This means you don’t have to set it up in two different places. One tip that most people overlook is that you can also write separate out-of-office replies for internal and external contacts—a more informal one for colleagues and a more formal one for customers and partners.

Click here to check out Microsoft's detailed guide

2. Watch out for phishing

During the holidays, offices are often understaffed, which scammers love. They take advantage of this time to try to trick you with phishing and other scams. We have a few simple tips to help keep you safe:

Phishing: Scammers often send fake emails that appear to come from trusted sources. Be extra vigilant about suspicious messages, and do not click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.

Fake invoices: Scammers may take advantage of the fact that many people are not in the office to send fake invoices. Always check the sender’s address and compare it with previous invoices regarding the company name, address, contact information, bank details, content, logo, and layout.

Take it easy! These emails often have short deadlines or urge you to act immediately. Does something seem off? Then it probably is.

Tip! Make a list of approved vendors, contact persons, and email addresses that everyone can access before you go on vacation.

3. Stay safe online while traveling and avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks

During the holidays, it’s important to maintain good online habits to protect your information. Here are some tips for staying safe online, no matter where you are:

Avoid using public networks: Public networks can be unsafe. Instead, connect via your mobile network. If you can’t use your mobile phone and must connect to a public network, you should use a VPN service.

4. Secure your phone with two-step verification

Your phone contains a lot of personal information, so make sure it’s protected. Here are a few simple tips:

Enable Find My iPhone/Android:This allows you to locate and remotely control your phone if it goes missing. On an iPhone, enable “Find My iPhone,” and on an Android device, use “Find My Device.”

Enable two-step verification: Add two-step verification to your personal accounts as well. Two-step verification requires an additional verification code in addition to your password, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your accounts.

Click here for a guide to two-step verification for Apple ID
Click here for a guide to two-step verification for Google accounts

You can also enable two-step verification in the settings for most apps on your phone.