Some Good Tips on Laptop Security when Travelling Abroad!

[Melicertes]

This article has some pretty good tips on keeping your information safe when travelling across international borders these days. For those of us who like taking our laptops where we go, read this - it might just save your bacon.
Read me first: Taking your laptop into the US? Be sure to hide all your data first | Technology | The Guardian

 

[ArcticDiver]

Thanks. I thought I was doing enough. But, now I wonder if it is possible to be paranoid enough to protect against all the people who want to peep.

 

[Melicertes]

Thanks. I thought I was doing enough. But, now I wonder if it is possible to be paranoid enough to protect against all the people who want to peep.

I think it's futile to think that we'll always be 100% secure all the time. We can however make a little bit of healthy paranoia part of our lifestyle and minimize the risk. If you want to stay informed about what's going on the the world you might also find it useful to go read some of the news on Network Security - Network World

 

[ArcticDiver]

Actually, now that I've read the article I realize that it is pretty naive. It is a given that most, if not all, of the major countries have vigourous electronic intercept programs. They also have the computer power to support those programs.

So, a person is safe making the assumption that everything one sends electronically is being interecepted and read at will by any number of governments. Thus, sending material home in advance via VPN, or any other security arrangement with the hope of keeping it out of US and other government's hands is an exercise in futility.

It does however keep a computer free of the drool when a local agent inspects the computer. It also keeps out the riff raff who would otherwise use the information.

 

[Melicertes]

Actually, now that I've read the article I realize that it is pretty naive. It is a given that most, if not all, of the major countries have vigourous electronic intercept programs. They also have the computer power to support those programs.

So, a person is safe making the assumption that everything one sends electronically is being interecepted and read at will by any number of governments. Thus, sending material home in advance via VPN, or any other security arrangement with the hope of keeping it out of US and other government's hands is an exercise in futility.

It does however keep a computer free of the drool when a local agent inspects the computer. It also keeps out the riff raff who would otherwise use the information.

I agree, IMHO the problem is not so much the intercepting of transmitted data across VPNs or anything like that, but more about avoiding that rubber glove exam, courtesy of customs agent Smith, just because they did not like what temporary files your browser had in it's temp folder.
Like the article said if you don't want anybody to read anything on your laptop/PDA/USB stick, then don't have it on there. But as far as the general loss of information goes when you've had your bag stolen or something similar - just at least keep the sensitive stuff encrypted so Joe Thug doesn't end up figuring out something you'd rather keep confidential.

 

[Bratface]

Thanks for the article. I have some work to do on my computer now. I will be sending it to all my friends who bring their computers on trips.

 

[ArcticDiver]

It might be good to put a bit of perspective on this subject. The technology I've posted is just that, technology.

Considering the hundreds, if not thousands, of laptops that go through security and/or immigration each day the folks there don't have time to do a whole lot of detailed checking. So, unless there is something else to draw attention to you they just aren't going to ask you to allow them to check your computer's contents.

Go back and read the original post. That could be interpreted to be a warning for miscreants to beware. Well, if you have child pornography or communications that are adverse to the well being of my country then I do hope your computer does get checked and that you are stopped at the border. We have enough home grown criminals; we don't need to import any.

To me the far greater threat to my personal well being is someone stealing my computer and using the information on it for profit. Or, if I rush to the airplane and leave my computer lying somewhere; like that family did the other day with one of their children. So, protecting its' contents is more a matter of protecting against unscrupulous people than anything else.