Technology can be a friend…and a foe. We know how to protect our devices with anti-virus and anti-malware software, we make use of VPNs to stay online, but there’s quite a bit more we can do.

After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. From personal protection devices to anti-theft backpacks, RFID wallets, and more, here are some affordable gadgets that will help keep you safe at home and when you travel.

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Faraday Bags

Remember Mr. Faraday from Physics class? Welcome him back in your life together with the technology to protect your electronics. Anything that has Bluetooth, wi-fi, or NFC is at risk of being attacked via those connections.

Enter, the sleeves which use the Faraday Cage system. In short, it protects you and your devices from being hacked or tracked. There faraday bags for smartphones, tablets, laptops, passports, and car keys.

RFID Wallets

Love your contactless debit or credit card? You don’t have to punch in the PIN for every (small) transaction. (I’m talking to the Europe folks here). I kind of like this myself – the less contact, the better. But that technology is an open invitation for hackers. Some devices can read your card from as far as 1-3 m (so, even the physical distancing during a pandemic won’t keep your card safe).

What will keep it safe though is a RFID Wallet. These gadgets employ the technology to block the radio waves, keeping all your hard-earned money safe!

And yes, there are also RFID backpacks and other similar gadgets.

No Touch Door Opener

I’m fairly certain no one loves to touch the doors (pandemic or not), those dreaded shared surfaces that make our skin crawl. Or enjoy pushing buttons – such as the elevator ones, ATM ones, or the intercom ones. I am probably not the only one to have used wet hankies to protect myself before.

Thanks to a tiny gadget, you can now protect yourself and those around you with the no touch door opener.

Portable Door Lock (for Travel)

Ideally, you already use a door lock at home. Right, right? If you don’t have one, a portable door lock should do fine.

But due to how portable – lightweight and small – it is, it will be your best friend when you travel. Whether you prefer to rent an apartment or stay in a hotel, this will protect you no matter what room you are in.

Also, it’s super easy to install, no bolts or screws required and it won’t damage any door.

Water Bottle with Filter For Travel

Love to explore the world? Then you probably also love to walk in the city or hike in nature. Carrying a water bottle is likely second nature to most of us, but how about using a water bottle with a filter?

Why? Let me ask you this: do you trust water fountains in the cities to have really clean water? How about when you hike and ran out of water to drink but spot a stream? You could drink that, if only you had a filter.

Personal Protection Safety Device

I must admit I’m the kind to stay away from shady places in the first place. But I do go out alone and sometimes it can be a bit scary.

A personal protection safety device is a great way to let others around you that you are in danger. It produces a loud noise and an intermittent flashlight. Plus, it’s compact, light, and USB rechargeable.

Luggage Travel Lock

This is probably a no-brainer but also a very good reminder. A luggage travel lock is a must. They are cheap, durable, and give you some peace of mine.

I always unlock them when I go through airport security. But for the US folks, there are TSA accepted locks (the one linked above is such a lock) that the agents can unlock and relock.

Anti-Theft Backpack

I still keep my day pack in front sometimes when I am in crowded places. But that’s not exactly an option with a heavier backpack. Enter the anti-theft backpack, made of strong anti-scratch, anti-cut fabric. The zippers are hidden so they are harder to open, too.

It also has a port to allow you to charge your devices (you have to add a power bank yourself, though).

Solar Charger Power Bank

So when was that moment when you decided you needed a power bank? Me? Almost missing a sunrise in Italy because I forgot to charge my phone. Once I got back home, we got our first power bank. We have two now and they travel with us constantly.

But image yourself camping and you either have no power plug or the one you have is already used by something else. Yeah, we’ve been there.

Enter the solar charger power bank. The large capacity, the ability to charge from the sun, and the fact that it can charge multiple devices simultaneously are great reasons to add it to your gadgets.

Real Time GPS Tracker

Afraid your luggage goes missing when you travel? You can’t find your laptop bag? Or maybe your cat is nowhere to be found. Enter the GPS Tracker.

The one linked is small and can be used outdoors and indoors, all over the world. But you do need to pay a monthly fee, the cellular data for the SIM that it comes with). You have access to a phone app to track the item.

Fire Starter

Chances are you’ve been camping at least once. Do you remember the usual “does anyone have a lighter”? Or even more fun: “does anyone know how to actually start a fire?”. Yeah, that’s a bit embarrassing.

Enter the fire starter. It can light a fire in any weather, including when it’s wet, and at any altitude.