1. Technology Services
2. About Us
3. Desktop Computing
4. Travel Recommendations

International Travel Recommendations

The following are technology best practices for VCU community members traveling abroad. If you are working with University information and plan to travel abroad, we encourage you to review these recommendations with your departmental IT support staff or the information security office (infosec@vcu.edu) to determine the most appropriate way to implement them.

Turn on Find My iPhone or Android

Ensure the "Find My iPhone" feature is activated to have peace of mind and find your phone if it gets lost.  You can locate your device on map, turn on Lost Mode which can display your contact information, or remotely erase your device 

To enable Find My iPhone:

1. Go to "Settings"
2. Select your profile at the top
3. Select "Find My"
4. Select "Find My iPhone" and turn it on

To enable on Find my Android:

1. Open Settings: Swipe up on your home screen and tap the Settings app.
2. Access Google Services: Scroll down and tap Google.
3. Navigate to Find My Device: Tap All Services, then select Find My Device.
4. Turn it On: Toggle on Use Find My Device. You may need to enter your phone's PIN, password, or fingerprint to confirm your identity.
5. Verify Location Settings: Ensure your location services are active. You can do this by going to Settings > Location and toggling it on

Zscaler

ZScaler is an always-on remote access tool that provides VCU employees with constant and consistent access to internal university resources over the Internet, regardless of the employee’s physical location.

ZScaler provides users with location-agnostic, continuous, and consistent access to any university IT systems you can access. In addition to correct credentials and authorization, access to some high-sensitivity systems may require using a VCU-issued computer with the installed ZScaler remote access agent. 

With a new computer, you must log into the ZScaler agent once. Once that initial login is complete, no further login is needed in the future. Simply turn on your computer, connect to the Internet, and enter your username and password.

For additional installation information, visit our telework.vcu.edu site.

VCU 2Factor\Duo Mobile Authentication (Duo Passcode or hardware token)

To safeguard VCU information from cyber threats, VCU has integrated VCU 2Factor Authentication. VCU 2Factor Authentication is an extra layer of security to ensure that you are the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password.

Before international travel, Technology Services recommends that you have the duo app installed and activated with VCU. If you do not have access to the internet or cell service during your travel on your mobile device or tablet, you can still authenticate with duo using a passcode from the app.

Generate a Passcode with Duo App

1. Open the Duo Mobile App.
2. Tap on the Virginia Commonwealth University account.
3. A passcode will be displayed.
4. When prompted for your secondary authentication method when logging in, select Enter a Passcode and then enter the passcode displayed in the Duo app.
5. Click Log In

If you do not have a smartphone then the alternate method would be to request a Hardware token. Please contact VCU IT Support Center before your travel.

Connect to Secure WiFi Network

Connecting to WiFi networks abroad will help you stay connected without relying on a cellular connection and reduce roaming data charges if you have an international cellular plan. Before connecting to a wireless network, please be aware of free/open WiFi networks (do not require a password). Free WiFi networks are not secure, and criminals can easily access information on your devices. VCU TS recommends connecting your device to a Zscaler for increased security. 

International Adapter Kit

Having a good set of international power adapters is key when traveling abroad.  Different countries have different power outlets, so it's recommended that users purchase a universal international kit that includes at least five power adapters.  

Traveling Precautions and Tips

Pre-Load Maps When Traveling Abroad

While traveling abroad, users are likely to search for how to get to tourist attractions or how to get around the city.  However, accomplishing this task is difficult if your smartphone lacks cellular connectivity in the country (unless you have an international roaming plan).

It is recommended that before you travel outside the country, you download offline maps to your device so you'll be able to navigate throughout your destination without connecting to a cellular network. For example, Google provides instructions here on how to download offline maps for its Android and iOS apps.

Limit Social Media Post

Limiting social media when traveling abroad protects your data from foreign cyber threats, secures your physical property from theft, and helps you unplug. Implement these actionable strategies to control your screen time and secure your digital footprint:

Before Traveling 

1. Resist the “I’m going on vacation” social media announcement. You might want to brag to your friends that you’ll be on the beach for the next seven days, but resist the urge to post or tweet about it.
   
   
2. Disable location-identifying settings. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops have location services that identify where you are using GPS or Wi-Fi hotspots. By disabling the location-identifying settings, your geographic location won’t be captured when you tweet or post.
   
   
3. Check your Facebook tagging settings. Facebook’s privacy settings allow you to manage the posts and photos you’re tagged in. Prevent tagged posts from automatically appearing on your timeline by enabling the timeline review control. Then you can approve pictures snapped by friends or family during vacation after you get home.  While you’re adjusting your Facebook tagging settings for that vacation, take a few minutes to double-check the rest of your social media privacy settings.

While Traveling

1. Don’t check in or post about your trip. Check-ins on Foursquare and Facebook are a no-no while you’re on vacation—and so is tweeting about it. By pinning your exact location on a social media virtual map like Foursquare, your friends will know where you are—and burglars will know where you aren’t.
   
   
2. Capture the incredible moments. Take photos and jot down the social media messages you’d normally say about the experience. Consider using a social media management website to write posts and tweets, then schedule them to post after you return home.
   
   
3. Blog now—publish later. Blogging during your vacation is a great way to capture all the details of your experience. Then, when you finish writing the post, save it as a draft instead of publishing it.

After Traveling

1. Share. Once you get home, recap your vacation with friends and family by sharing the photos from your trip and publishing your blog posts.

Pass these tips along to your fellow travelers, so their social media behavior on vacation doesn’t put your home at risk for burglary.

Label and Secure Everything

Whenever you travel to a foreign city or country, keeping you and your devices safe should be your top priority. Pickpockets and thieves are everywhere, but they’re more likely to prey on easy targets in tourist areas. So follow these rules to avoid losing gadgets on your trip:

Keep your computer in a nondescript bag: Satchels, dingy purses, anything that doesn’t shout “laptop bag” will help thieves pass you over for more appealing targets.

Carry your smartphone in your front pocket: Back pockets are easy to filch from. Front pockets, less so. Even better, keep your iPhone in your bag or a zipped jacket pocket.

Label your devices: If you lose your device, go to Find My iPhone or Android to take further action to protect your data, such as placing the device in lost mode or remotely wiping your device.