With vacation and travel plans approaching quickly, many are happy to escape the daily run-in and share their adventures online.
It was a time of expectation, with social media posting flood schedules with snapshots of everything from destination to boarding passes.
When posting photos of your boarding pass next to your airport with your passport seems harmless, experts warn that such simple behavior can put you at serious cybersecurity risks.
Your boarding pass is more than just a plane ticket; it contains layers of information, including codes with hidden meanings that may confuse even the most flavored flyers – while providing a gold mine for cybercriminals.
It is important to point out the meaning of each code, to change at the airport, prepare additional security checks and maintain your privacy online.
Continue reading to discover the reading of your personal information on the boarding pass:
Your boarding pass is more than just a plane ticket; it contains multiple layers of information, including codes with hidden meanings
Passenger Name Record (PNR)
Passenger Name Record (PNR) is a six-digit alphanumeric code
More commonly, the booking reference number or booking number, and the Passenger Name Record (PNR) is the six-digit alphanumeric code that appears on each boarding pass.
This randomly generated sequence determines you as a unique passenger in case you happen to share an exact first and last name with another person in the flight.
Each passenger’s PNR is essentially a detailed trip itinerary, which includes everything from flight details to meal preferences and even frequent flyer status.
Warning flyers are about avoiding uploading photos of boarding passes online – even throwing them in public bins – because PNR can give hackers insight into your travel plans and habits.
If cybercriminals get your name and booking reference number, they can log in to your airline account, modify bookings, steal your aircraft or even cancel flights.
Barcode or QR code
Barcodes or QR codes are usually scanned on the boarding door to speed up the boarding process
One of the most obvious elements of a modern boarding pass is its barcode or QR code, which is usually scanned at the boarding gate to speed up the boarding process.
The scanners used by airlines save information that helps employees determine how many passengers they board, what seats they have occupied, and how much luggage they have checked.
However, these barcodes usually contain your PNR or booking references, which hackers can easily decode using free online tools.
With this information, they can track your travel patterns and even pretend you make fraudulent changes to your booking.
Security Code (SSSS)
SSS stands for “Level 2 Safety Screening Options”, a thorough safety inspection enforced by the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA)
In short, SSS stands for “Level 2 Safety Screening Options,” a thorough safety check enforced by the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).
While hackers won’t have much use in this code, those who find it in a boarding pass should expect “enhanced” filtering, which may be longer than standard security procedures, which in turn may lead to delays.
According to the angle, screening usually involves “full-body pats, additional metal detection wand waves and explosive swabs, rubbing on your luggage, at least your hands.”
The duffel bags were searched for a complete search, the lining of the suitcase and its external pockets were irritated, scanning and sweeping away narcotics and other contraband.
TSA agents are also likely to ask you questions about travel reasons, itinerary, destination information, whether or not you pack your own luggage.
The criteria for selection are not always predetermined, as passengers can be selected at random, or due to inconsistent or “suspicious” behavior, such as paying cash for flights or purchasing many one-way tickets.
Serial number
If your sequence number is SEQ/081, it means you are the 81st passenger
This three-digit number indicates your “sequence” or the order in which you checked in to the flight.
For example, if your sequence number is SEQ/081, it means you are the 81st passenger.
Like security codes, hackers are not necessarily able to do a lot with your serial number, but be careful when you board the plane, because your SEQ code sometimes affects your seat, when you board, and whether you can board the plane.
By being aware of your check-in status, it can help you understand what is going on, why and when you owe you compensation if you experience delays or are unable to board the plane.