• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

Travel Magazine

Top Travel Destinations in Pictures

  • Travel Advertising
  • Make a Contribution
  • Contact

As Americans Plan for Summer Travel, McAfee Maps Out How to Navigate Through New Security Landscape

May 11, 2021 By Travel Magazine

McAfee study shows consumers not putting their digital wellness first, despite increased tech adoption

News Highlights:

2 in 3 Americans report that they will travel for leisure this summer
68% of Americans confirm they are more digitally connected since the onset of COVID-19, but only about half have implemented additional levels of security
While on the go, 44% admit to connecting to public Wi-Fi, although 62% perceive Wi-Fi networks as the most vulnerable to cyber threats

SAN JOSE, Calif. – McAfee Corp. (Nasdaq: MCFE) today released findings on how Americans are approaching their personal protection in an increasingly digital-first world, as they look to travel this summer with COVID-conscious modifications. According to McAfee’s 2021 Consumer Security Mindset: Travel Edition, 68% of Americans plan to travel for leisure this summer, with 12% doing so internationally. While 68% of U.S. consumers report that they are connected to more devices and digital activity since the start of COVID; roughly half have implemented additional levels of security protection. This figure is lower than the global average of 61%.

As Americans Plan for Summer Travel, McAfee Maps Out How to Navigate Through New Security Landscape

Most surprisingly, more than half (55%) of respondents indicate that their travel preferences have shifted in the wake of COVID-19, with hotels and motels ranking as the most preferred accommodations (43%), followed by staying with family or friends (37%). While travelers may have altered their accommodation preferences due to the pandemic, they are not properly translating that same increased cautiousness into their digital safety.

“As travel becomes an actual possibility for people once again, it’s an opportunity to remember just how important maintaining your digital wellness and security is outside the home,” said Judith Bitterli, Senior Vice President of McAfee Consumer Marketing. “Whether people are at home or away, there will be banking to do, chances to shop online, and moments to stream a few shows while at the airport or on the road. This simple mindset shift goes a long way in protecting our personal information.”

Discrepancy of Consumers Sentiments & Behaviors

There is a discrepancy between consumers’ sentiments and behaviors, as well as security best practices while home and away. Notable, 73% of U.S. consumers indicated that they connect to devices when visiting a home that isn’t their own, potentially making them more vulnerable to risks this summer, as they are more connected and less protected.

Consumers say they are aware of the cyber risks associated with their travels, but they don’t always take the necessary steps to remain protected. Some key findings include:

A little more than half (55%) of consumers check if a network is secure before connecting and 45% report that they do not take the same online security measures while on holiday vs. at home.
While on the go, nearly half (44%) admit to connecting to public Wi-Fi, although 62% perceive Wi-Fi networks as the most vulnerable to cyber threats.
Nearly half (49%) say vacation home rentals are amongst their top 2 most preferred accommodations – despite 66% revealing that they perceive risks associated them.
Americans admit to connecting to devices (both personal and public), as well as foreign networks during their vacations – the most mentioned include personal devices such as laptops and computers (37%), smart TVs (39%) and streaming devices (35%).
Maintaining your digital wellness while on vacation

With rising connectivity and device adoption continuing in 2021, consumers must understand the cyber risks of increased digital touchpoints, and how to best protect their personal information. They need to take initiative at all connection points in their travel journey, actively maintaining their digital wellness.

McAfee mapped out a path consumers can take to protect themselves and others:

Connect with caution. Be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi while on vacation and make sure the Wi-Fi is secure and attached to a trusted source. Ensure that you don’t conduct any financial transactions or share any personal details while on public Wi-Fi.
Consider a holistic security solution. Understand what tools are available to you in order to give you peace of mind that your identity and personal information across all of our devices are safeguarded this summer travel season.
Update your software. Before you travel, check for any software updates on your devices. Updates often fix security bugs and seal up cracks in the system.
Keep devices protected and close. Distracted vacationers are the perfect target for thieves looking to steal devices- be it a phone, laptop, tablet, or game. Ensure accounts have multi-factor authentication to double check the authenticity of digital users in case device gets in the wrong hands.
McAfee’s 2021 Consumer Security Mindset: Travel Edition Methodology:

McAfee commissioned MSI International to conduct a survey of over 1,000 adults in each country in April 2021, ages 18 – 75.

This press release only includes data from the U.S. survey. Additional surveys were conducted in Canada, UK, Germany, France, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and India. Data for these regions can be requested via media contact below.

About McAfee
McAfee Corp. (Nasdaq: MCFE) is a leader in personal security for consumers. Focused on protecting people, not just devices, McAfee consumer solutions adapt to users’ needs in an always online world, empowering them to live securely through integrated, intuitive solutions that protects their families and communities with the right security at the right moment. For more information, please visit https://www.mcafee.com/consumer

Related

Filed Under: Travel Guide

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Bonjour from Paris!
  • Get your legs ready for summer
  • Tourist Traps Among Biggest Travel Nightmares for U.S. Consumers
  • Peru’s Beautiful Attractions Are Safe and Ready for International Travelers
  • Indonesia and Singapore are starting quarantine-free travel between the two countries
  • What makes Cebu a top destination for ecotourism in the Philippines
  • Neuschwanstein Castle, Füssen, Germany
  • Megalithic boulders of Sacsayhuaman in Cuzco, Peru
  • Rome tourists can cool off like emperors at Domitian’s palace
  • Tips for Photographing a Vacation with Your Smartphone

RSS Travel Market

  • Travelers are having second thoughts about enduring the world’s longest flights
  • Norwegian Cruise expects positive current quarter operating cash flow
  • Post-pandemic travelers flock to boutique hotels
  • Inspirato, the Innovative Luxury Travel Subscription Brand, Closes Transaction to Become Publicly Traded
  • How can EU funding help your tourism business become more sustainable and digital?
  • Indonesia will reopen Bali to all foreign visitors this week
  • The future of cruises is smaller and more purpose-driven
  • Travel Insurance: Is It Actually Worth Buying?
  • Good Old Vienna
  • Travel trends that can shape tourism in 2022

Media Partners

  • Event Calendar
  • Calendarial
  • Domain Market Research
  • Domain Aftermarkets
  • Event Sharing Network
  • S3H
  • VPNW
  • Press Media Release

Copyright © 2013 TravelMagazine.org

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT