Apps, smartphones and social media

Your smart phone is a powerful computer, so use it during your travels.

GoAbroad.com has compiled a list of 12 Best Apps & Websites for Booking Travel Online, and 22 Best Travel Apps for Airplane Mode .

Language & Translation

Google Translate has a lot of great functionality (or Pleco Chinese Dictionary if you are in China). And if you want to learn a language try Duolingo.

Chat

There are so many different options, but check whether a service is available in a specific country.

Some of the options:

• Going to China, use WeChat (Cool article by TechCrunch: The many ways of WeChat)

• Whatsapp

• Telegram

• Line

• Signal (For people caring about their privacy.)

Normally, you end up using a messenger app which are also used by your friends and what your context / environment allows. And in some cases you can use more than one messenger app.

Use apps which you are comfortable with and have used before.

Also, it is quite possible that your family and parents don't use the specific chat app you will be using. For that reason check beforehand if they have used the specific app.

Using Public Wi-Fi Networks

There are risks in using public Wi-Fi networks that is accessible to anyone to use: Dangers of public Wi-Fi: how to use open networks safely .

For privacy and personal security the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is always a good idea. Check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s advice regarding VPN’s.

Here are some “Tips, Tools and How-tos for Safer Online Communications” from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Also, if you are traveling to China, keep the following in mind regarding the use of VPN’s.

Backup & Storage

Backup! Backup! Backup! Curate! Curate! Curate!

Use an external hard drive to back up your laptop; in most cases though a good cloud storage option will do what is required and needed.

Dropbox, Google Drive or One Drive: We would recommend that you use one of these services to save copies of your passport, flight tickets and reservations on them. They can also be used to save all your photos, as well as sharing your photos with friends and family. Just read the terms and conditions.

Advice for keeping your data safe.

Password Managers

Your safest password is the one you can’t remember: Choosing a Password Manager .