Traveler's Guide to Personal Security

"It's good to have a lifeguard, but it's better to know how to swim."

Most of us can still remember a time when the most a traveler had to worry about was communicating with the cab driver or knowing when and whom to tip. Sadly, that age of innocence is long past.

The globalization of crime and terrorism didn't begin, of course, with 9/11, but there's no question that the risks and uncertainties of travel-and all areas of personal security-loom far larger in its wake. Not only are longer lines at airport security a fact of life for most travelers, but we also experience greater anxiety about the people we encounter and the situations in which we find ourselves.

The main goal of this guide is to replace this anxiety-much of which is likely unfounded-with a realistic understanding of what people and situations are (and are not) likely to pose a risk to your security and well being while traveling domestically or abroad. In its pages, you'll find most of the common situations in which you may be placed at risk and learn how to spot the warning signals of an impending attack or crime, and more importantly- what to do about it