If you’re planning a trip soon, you should start by downloading a few useful apps. Traveling can be exciting, but it can also be dangerous if not done properly just like diving a real money casino without any knowledge. These six applications will help you stay secure when traveling, allowing you to focus on exploring and creating memories.
- Smart Traveler (iOS, Android)
Smart Traveler is a safety resource app developed by the United States Department of State exclusively for American travelers. It is free to download for iOS and Android. This is a great app to have on hand because it compiles a wealth of useful, authoritative information in one location.
The app contains safety guides for international places, travel warnings and alerts, and contact information for US embassy and consulate offices in various countries. Ideally, you will complete your trip without requiring this information. However, Smart Traveler could be useful in an emergency, such as when you lose your passport.
- NordVPN (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Web)
A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that provides internet security and privacy. Using a VPN when traveling can protect you from hackers, keep your data private, and allow you to access websites that are blocked in other locations which gives you time to enjoy tips from https://food89.com/ for your next meal.
NordVPN is usually considered the best VPN on the market today. You can use it on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The VPN encrypts all of your data, disables advertisements, and disguises your location as any region you specify. It also offers antivirus and malware protection.
- TripWhistle (iOS)
Did you know that several other countries do not use 911 for emergency calls? The United States, Canada, and a few other nations use 911 to call emergency services, but other 3-digit codes are used all around the world. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the emergency number is 999.
TripWhistle makes it easier to contact emergency services in other countries by providing fast access to the 3-digit codes for 196 nations. You can also use it to provide emergency personnel your coordinates so they can locate you more quickly. Remember that in order to use location services, you may need to temporarily turn off your VPN.
- Signal (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux)
Have you ever worried that someone is tracking your messages and texts? If you are concerned about this, utilizing an encrypted texting app while traveling is a good idea. Signal is an excellent solution that is available for free on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. It allows you to exchange text messages, photos, videos, and files, as well as make audio calls.
Signal works similarly to other third-party messaging applications such as Telegram and WhatsApp. It will protect your conversations from hackers and other malicious actors.
- Emergency (iOS, Android)
The American Red Cross runs the Emergency app, which provides free weather notifications globally. Climate change is making extreme weather more common and unpredictable. It’s a good idea to have a reliable source of information on hand in case you encounter a weather emergency while traveling.
The Red Cross Emergency app is available for iOS and Android. You can set up notifications for certain weather events. It also includes tips on what to do in certain emergencies.
- GeoSure (iOS, Android)
You undoubtedly know which sections of your home to avoid at night. When you travel, you lose the advantage of native knowledge. GeoSure provides precise safety information for individual communities.
For example, it can assess how safe an area is for minority groups such as women and LGBTQ+ persons. It can also display crime data particular to your neighborhood and direct you to safer regions nearby. If your VPN is preventing you from using GeoSure’s location services, you may need to temporarily disable it.