Protect your private data during the World Cup

Millions of travelers will descend on World Cup cities over the next two months, with many relying on public WiFi to stay connected at airports, hotels, stadiums, and fan zones. Even Americans traveling to Vancouver without North American cell coverage can put their private data at risk — especially while checking bank account balances and work emails, or while leaving apps with sensitive info open on their devices. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for encrypting and protecting your data, says Patricia Egger, head of security at the Swiss-founded Proton VPN (other popular VPN companies include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark). A VPN essentially creates a protected tunnel for your data as it passes from your phone or computer to a server while using a public WiFi hotspot or network connection.

Read more Trump administration files appeal in Rhode Island voter data privacy case

One of the biggest problems travelers face, according to Egger, is connecting to fake or unsecured public WiFi, since attackers can create fake hotspots that mimic legit networks in public places. Make sure you verify WiFi networks at your airport, hotel, and other public spots; use protected “https” sites (the “s” at the end indicates it’s a secure site); turn off any Bluetooth, AirDrop, and file-sharing services while in public spaces unless you’re using them; and keep your phone locked when not in use. Egger also recommends using strong passwords and two-factor authentication whenever possible and not logging onto bank or credit card sites unless you’re using a VPN.

To set up a VPN, download the app for whatever company you choose (such as NordVPN or Proton VPN, for instance), set up an account, select a plan (often you can do a short-term low-cost trial — such as one month for 99 cents — or a free plan), and then hit “connect.” Your device will then be connected to a secure server. The VPN technology runs in the background and protects your data while you’re on the go — it even hides your public IP address and geolocation, meaning you can use it to access restricted websites and services (e.g. Netflix and Facebook) while traveling to other countries. It can also boost browser speed, reduce buffering while streaming your favorite movies, block ads and malware, and encrypt your mail.

Montana sports a new 900-mile adventure motorcycle route

Thousands of miles of trails geared to adventure motorcycles wind through wilderness areas across the country — on paved routes and off-road trails. Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR), a volunteer-run nonprofit, has completed a new 900-mile route that stretches from Island Park, Idaho, north through Montana to Eureka near the US/Canada border. This network of trails, dubbed the Montana Backcountry Discovery Route (MTBDR), crosses more than 13 mountain ranges and takes riders by historic mining towns, across open ranchland, and through remote valleys and conifer forests. Highlights include the Ruby River Valley (with its renowned fly fishing), Virginia City (once the territorial capital of Montana and a goldmine region and now a National Historic Landmark), and the remote Cabinet Mountains (a 35-mile-long stretch of glaciated peaks). The motorcycle route blends scenic gravel trails, flowing forest roads, and optional challenging sections for experienced riders. The route typically becomes accessible between July and September, based on snow levels and seasonal road openings.

Read more The Red Sox are in a very different place than when they last played the Yankees in New York

BDR offers free GPS tracks (downloadable to GPS devices), detailed travel guides and resources, and up-to-date route information so you can plan a self-guided backcountry motorcycle adventure through Montana. Fly into Bozeman and rent a Yamaha Tenere 700S motorcycle from Hatch Adventures ($179-$249 per day) to complete the 7- to 10-day route. Either pick up the bike in Bozeman, ride through Yellowstone National Park to the southern starting point of the Montana route, and then hit the trail (all doable in a single day). Or Hatch Adventures can drop you and your bike at the start and pick you up at the end. Bikes come with a camping package — or stay in small towns along the way. BDR has also mapped routes from California to Maine. https://ridebdr.com/mtbdr, https://hatchadventures.com.

Enjoy all things lavender in this Hungarian town

Eat lavender-infused desserts at a Michelin-star wine cellar, make your own lavender perfume in a working botanical lab, and enjoy views of lavender fields at sunset from a sailboat on Central Europe’s largest lake. A volcanic peninsula jutting into Hungary’s Lake Balaton transforms into a sea of purple in mid-June for the area’s annual Tihany Lavender Festival. The two-week event, June 15-30, offers wellness, wine, and culinary experiences in western Hungary.

Benedictine Monks first planted lavender in the area’s mineral-rich soil in 1055 A.D. and then a Hungarian herbalist and chemical engineer helped transform the hillsides into fields of purple by the 1930s. Now lavender blooms every June, drawing thousands of visitors for the annual lavender festival. While here, explore the 11th-century Tihany Abbey; work with expert pharmacists at a local laboratory and create your own personalized botanical skincare; enjoy a sensory tour with interactive exhibits at the House of Perfume (and then try a taste of lavender-infused gin); and pick your own lavender at the historic Old Lavender Fields. https://visithungary.com/articles/dazzling-lavender-fields-await-in-tihany.

Read more Game 62: Red Sox at Yankees lineups and notes

Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at [email protected].