Latest news with #travelsecurity
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
EU's automated border system to launch in October
BRUSSELS, July 30 — The European Union announced today that a delayed new border-check system for non-EU nationals, which will do away with passport stamps, will finally launch in October. The so-called Entry/Exit System (EES), was initially supposed to kick in last November but was pushed back at the last minute as several countries were not ready. The EES will record visitors' date of entry and exit and keep track of overstays and refused entries. Travellers will have details and biometric data—facial images and fingerprints—collected. The system's introduction has raised fears of queues and longer waiting times for people travelling to Europe on trains, ferries and planes. In March, member states agreed on a phased roll out, which the European Commission said Wednesday will begin on October 12. 'This will strengthen security... by helping us identify overstayers, prevent irregular movements, and reduce document and identity fraud,' said Magnus Brunner, the commissioner for migration. First agreed on in 2017, the automated system will be used in the EU's 27 countries with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which are not EU members but are part of the Schengen free movement area, will also apply it. The commission said that travellers 'can expect information campaigns' at airports and other border crossings across the EU in the months leading up to the launch. 'With a six-month rollout, member states, travellers, and businesses will have the time to adjust to the new system,' Brunner said. Under the phased rollout, member states should ramp up towards operating the system at half of border crossing points after three months and have it fully deployed by six months. 'EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts,' Britain's Foreign Office said in a travel update. — AFP
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Forbes
Public WiFi Warning Issued For All iPhone And Android Users
Be careful how you connect. There's no subject guaranteed to rile cybersecurity experts more than public WiFi security — not even the mythological horrors of juice jacking. Any suggestion users should beware connecting to one of the tens of millions of airport, hotel, mall and coffee shop hotspots will always spawn a tirade of sarcastic posts on social media. But sometimes the threat is real. Your devices can become 'serious liabilities,' the security team at Zimperium has just warned, 'especially during travel, when vigilance is low, free public-WiFi are everywhere, and attackers know exactly how to strike.' Let's be very clear. Public WiFi is broadly fine. As long as the network is real, you are using encrypted apps or websites, and you don't download any software or overshare any information with the captive portal that pops up asking you to connect. The FTC says as much: 'Because of the widespread use of encryption, connecting through a public Wi-Fi network is usually safe.' But even government advice is divisive on this subject, and TSA has a different message: 'Don't use free public WiFi, especially if you're planning to make any online purchases. Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.' Zimperium says there have been 'over 5 Million Public Unsecured Global Wi-Fi networks found since beginning of 2025, with 33% of users connecting to public unsecured networks.' And that 'during travel, these risks multiply.' Its warning is aimed at enterprises whose employees will be taking summer vacations with devices that connect to corporate email and other IT systems. 'Airports, hotels, ride-share hubs, and cafés all offer rich hunting grounds for attackers.' Public WiFi warning. Zimperium says 'employees, often multitasking or in a hurry, are far more likely to click, install, or connect without thinking twice.' The researchers list four types of attack that users should beware, even as they continue to connect on the go: Attacks are especially prevalent overseas, but Zimperium also warns that 'major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Miami, and Seattle are seeing increased mobile malware activity—particularly during peak travel months.' Staying safe is fairly straightforward — follow these five golden rules: You should also avoid installing apps from outside official stores and ensure your OS is up-to-date with the latest security patches. If you're running one of the billion phones with an OS no longer eligible for these updates, you should go get an upgrade. 'Whether you're heading to Southeast Asia or a European business hub,' Zimperium says, 'mobile malware doesn't discriminate by location—but it thrives on opportunity. And summer travel creates plenty of it.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
The 1 Boarding Pass Mistake You Should Never Make—It Could Cost You Your Vacation
Experts recommend against sharing photos of a boarding pass on social media. A family had their seats and meals changed, after sharing a selfie with their boarding pass, according to press reports. Luggage tags and baggage claim tags can also have a significant amount of personal information. Snapping photos and posting them on social media is a fun way to share a travel adventure. However, experts are sounding the alarm on one type of photo that could turn a dream vacation into a travel nightmare. Security experts have published a warning against posting screenshots or photos of boarding passes on social media. In recent years, online scammers and thieves have been able to extract significant personal information from a boarding pass, even if the confirmation number is obscured. As an added precaution, experts also advise not posting photos of luggage tags which can also contain additional personal information and other traveler information. The warning was authored by the United Kingdom-based law firm HD Claims, which says that advanced scammers can scrape the personal data from a QR code or a barcode on the boarding pass, even when the main personal information is concealed. In addition to not sharing the information on social media, the firm recommends shredding and destroying all travel documents, as they have observed cases where tickets had been picked out of hotel trash cans. 'This isn't just about social embarrassment, it's a serious data protection issue,' legal expert at HD Claims Adam Douglas shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure. 'If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether.'In May 2025, a family who innocently posted photos of their boarding pass online to celebrate an upcoming international trip became victims of a travel nightmare, according to a report detailing the alleged 'sabotage' from Wake Up Singapore. The Hong Kong-based family claimed in the report that their seats were re-assigned, and special kosher meals were replaced from their initial requests. Worst of all, the parents were separated from their two children, according to the report. When former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted his boarding pass for an upcoming flight on his Instagram account, his personal information was obtained by a third party. However, the self-described hacker who obtained Abbott's passport details and number used it as an opportunity to spotlight the importance of internet security, versus any negative outcome, according to a BBC report. In addition to not posting a boarding pass, there are many other easy tips to enhance safety when traveling. The United States Department of State recommends carefully researching a destination, not telling strangers where you are staying, locking windows and doors, and avoiding carrying anything expensive. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
14-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The 1 Boarding Pass Mistake You Should Never Make—It Could Cost You Your Vacation
Snapping photos and posting them on social media is a fun way to share a travel adventure. However, experts are sounding the alarm on one type of photo that could turn a dream vacation into a travel nightmare. Security experts have published a warning against posting screenshots or photos of boarding passes on social media. In recent years, online scammers and thieves have been able to extract significant personal information from a boarding pass, even if the confirmation number is obscured. As an added precaution, experts also advise not posting photos of luggage tags which can also contain additional personal information and other traveler information. The warning was authored by the United Kingdom-based law firm HD Claims, which says that advanced scammers can scrape the personal data from a QR code or a barcode on the boarding pass, even when the main personal information is concealed. In addition to not sharing the information on social media, the firm recommends shredding and destroying all travel documents, as they have observed cases where tickets had been picked out of hotel trash cans. 'This isn't just about social embarrassment, it's a serious data protection issue,' legal expert at HD Claims Adam Douglas shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure . 'If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether.' In May 2025, a family who innocently posted photos of their boarding pass online to celebrate an upcoming international trip became victims of a travel nightmare, according to a report detailing the alleged 'sabotage' from Wake Up Singapore. The Hong Kong-based family claimed in the report that their seats were re-assigned, and special kosher meals were replaced from their initial requests. Worst of all, the parents were separated from their two children, according to the report. When former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted his boarding pass for an upcoming flight on his Instagram account, his personal information was obtained by a third party. However, the self-described hacker who obtained Abbott's passport details and number used it as an opportunity to spotlight the importance of internet security, versus any negative outcome, according to a BBC report. In addition to not posting a boarding pass, there are many other easy tips to enhance safety when traveling. The United States Department of State recommends carefully researching a destination, not telling strangers where you are staying, locking windows and doors, and avoiding carrying anything expensive.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Taking a summer trip? Don't throw out your boarding passes, officials say
Flyers taking trips this summer may look at their boarding pass and just see their entry to an airplane. But your boarding pass contains a lot more than just your plane seat and gate number. It also includes codes that communicate details about passengers and their itineraries to airport staff. These include unique alphanumeric codes that identify reservation details, acronyms identifying a passenger's place in boarding and letters used to identify a passenger's fare class. And there's the code that flyers dread seeing: SSSS, which means they'll get additional security screening. Here's what air travelers should know about the codes on their boarding passes. Travel publications like Conde Nast Traveler and security experts like Brian Krebs of KrebsOnSecurity urge travelers not to throw out paper boarding passes, even after their flight has ended. Related: As TSA reportedly changes its shoes policy, don't forget these other airport security rules Because a boarding pass contains so much personal information about a traveler, scammers who find discarded boarding passes can use that information to access their accounts. That's why travel and security experts also advise against posting photos of a boarding pass online. Experts recommend flyers shred their paper boarding passes after using, or board using their mobile phones instead. These are some of the most common codes seen on airline boarding passes: SSSS: Secondary Security Screening Selection. These letters mean the passenger has been selected for additional screening, which can include luggage searches, pat-downs and additional questioning at the TSA checkpoint. PNR: Passenger Name Reference. It's an alphanumeric code used to uniquely identify a passenger's itinerary and basic information about them. Travelers need their PNR to look up information about their flights. ET or ETKT: Electronic Ticket. Some airlines use these acronyms instead of PNR to list the code that contains information about a passenger's itinerary. FQTV: Frequent Traveler. This code indicates the traveler is registered with the airline's frequent flyer or loyalty program. SEQ or SEQ NO: Sequence number. It indicates the passenger's place in boarding. Flyers discussing the code on the travel website FlyerTalk said the most coveted sequence code is "SEQ 001," which means the passenger is the first to board. BCBP: Bar-Coded Boarding Pass. It's a bar code that contains passenger information and is scanned to board a plane. The International Air Transport Association sets standards for bar codes on boarding passes, outlined in a lengthy guide; these include the size of the code, its readability and securing codes for fraud prevention. S/O: Stopover. The flight includes a layover in one or more airports. SPTC: Stopover Paid by the Carrier. This means the flight includes a layover that lasts longer than a few hours. It also signals overnight accommodations may be included. A or F: Indicates a first-class ticket. J: Business Class. It indicates the passenger's ticket is for a full-price business class fare. Y: Economy Class. Most airlines use this code to indicate the passenger is in economy class. Related: California has some of the best and worst airports for business travelers in the US: Study The TSA does not publish guidance that explains why people are selected for secondary screening. Anecdotal evidence suggests people are selected for various reasons, which can include: Unusual or suspicious travel patterns. Mistaken identity, often because the passenger's name appears on a TSA watchlist. One-way international flights. Last-minute flights. Purchasing tickets using cash. Traveling to destinations flagged by the U.S. Department of State as high-risk destinations. Some places are more likely to trigger SSSS than others; The Points Guy wrote that it comes up frequently when traveling to and/or from Turkey. Behavior at the airport that the TSA thinks raises suspicions. Random selection. Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What boarding pass codes say about you. What Californians should know
