Cybersecurity Tips for Festivalgoers

For many people, the summer means music, mates, and merriment somewhere in a field.

Festivals are big business in the UK as part of a multi-billion-pound industry. Over 200,000 people attended the 2024 Glastonbury Festival – the jewel in the crown of the UK's music scene.

As with so much of modern life, you need to know how cyber criminals may use your festival trip as an opportunity.

Protect Your Devices

Power banks have become a staple of festival kits, and many venues now provide on-site charging. As a result, taking your smartphone is much more feasible than in the 2000s.

Keep up any precautions you'd typically take, though. Use a password and biometrics to stop others accessing your device. Check for software updates before you set off to ensure its security is up to date.

Consider buying a heavy-duty case to protect your phone from physical damage, too. Dropping it in a patch of mud could be disastrous!

Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi

With smartphones now commonplace at festivals, venues are adapting. Glastonbury has public Wi-Fi hotspots dotted around its grounds. If you're travelling to an event by public transport, this may be another time you connect to unsecured Wi-Fi.

You should always practise caution when using these networks.  A VPN can prevent snoopers from seeing your activity, when you're transferring money to a friend or paying for food and drinks. VPNs work by sending your data to the private server through an encrypted tunnel. Just be sure to choose a provider with great reviews and the best server coverage. You can then enjoy all the fun of the festival, knowing your online activities are safe from prying eyes.

Avoid Phishing Scams

Cybercriminals can capitalise on the desperation to secure tickets to big festivals. Verify which outlets are officially licensed to sell tickets. If you receive urgent messages with a link to buy a ticket elsewhere, it's likely to smell "phishy".

While you're enjoying yourself, it might be best to unplug your emails and other lines of communication. If you do receive a malicious message, you're less likely to read it in a rush and potentially interact with it in a harmful way.

Secure Your Payments

Contactless payments now dominate the shopping experience and festivals are no exception. Carrying multiple bank cards in the crowd could be risky. Meanwhile, utilising a mobile wallet may be a safer alternative if you know the venue supports contactless payments.

You'll likely pay for many things while at the festival, especially food and drink. Again, securing your device is key to avoiding trouble. Consider carrying a small amount of cash and using it in busy areas to avoid getting your smartphone out regularly.

You can apply these tips to everyday life – not just when you're attending a festival. Keeping on top of your cybersecurity will stand you in good stead for when it's time to get your wellies on and party!

Photo by Danny Howe on Unsplash