Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
- Thread starter jeffg
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launderess
Well-known member
One might wish to think twice before taking that laptop, Ipod, Blackberry or any other electronic device abroad.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103030.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103030.html
I've read at least one other article on this topic of late. It's apparently reached a point where some companies, worried about proprietary business details, will issue employees going abroad a laptop that's stripped down to just the files absolutely needed.
I do wonder what the people who check laptops would think of a laptop practically filled with hot pictures, in full, vibrant living color, of...vintage washing machines!
I do wonder what the people who check laptops would think of a laptop practically filled with hot pictures, in full, vibrant living color, of...vintage washing machines!
launderess
Well-known member
Am thinking of doing the same, purchasing a bland, "cheap" laptop just for use when traveling. It would serve two purposes:
First, wouldn't mind that much if the thing is stolen or "lost".
Second don't fancy any government agency or quasi government agency rambling though my computer, much less taking it away for several days to "inspect" it.
The later happens more often than one thinks, especially in different countries whre one has less (can that be true ?)rights in refusing to show ones "papers" or any thing else when requested to do so by a governemnt authority.
First, wouldn't mind that much if the thing is stolen or "lost".
Second don't fancy any government agency or quasi government agency rambling though my computer, much less taking it away for several days to "inspect" it.
The later happens more often than one thinks, especially in different countries whre one has less (can that be true ?)rights in refusing to show ones "papers" or any thing else when requested to do so by a governemnt authority.
Another advantage of having a "travel" laptop is that you can get something "travel" friendly--light, small, portable.
The ideal might be the Asus EEE laptop. Small screen on the base model, but apparently quite portable. And available in a range of colors, including pink, which could be a nice match for that pink 1950 something Kenmore! Here's a link:
http://eeepc.asus.com/us/index.htm
The ideal might be the Asus EEE laptop. Small screen on the base model, but apparently quite portable. And available in a range of colors, including pink, which could be a nice match for that pink 1950 something Kenmore! Here's a link:
http://eeepc.asus.com/us/index.htm
Of course, the traveler can also keep an existing laptop, and delete all the files before going on vacation. This would be a bigger pain, but possibly a better choice for the person who only travels once in a blue moon. Of course, the traveler would need to be careful to make sure everything is deleted--simply tossing the troublesome file into the Trash won't do it. (I wonder if there is some official US Government type standard for standard "complete delete" software. Somehow, it would be fitting to use that standard, if available!)
The people I really wonder about are those who are always crossing the border for business. Stripping a laptop to nothing may not work for them. A few years ago, I knew someone who worked in Canada, but lived in Washington. Every day, he'd drive to Canada. I don't know what if anything he took home with him at night, but that would certainly be a real concern now if I was a company in Canada with an executive going back and forth across the border every day.
The people I really wonder about are those who are always crossing the border for business. Stripping a laptop to nothing may not work for them. A few years ago, I knew someone who worked in Canada, but lived in Washington. Every day, he'd drive to Canada. I don't know what if anything he took home with him at night, but that would certainly be a real concern now if I was a company in Canada with an executive going back and forth across the border every day.
launderess
Well-known member
You Do Know
Nothing is ever truly "deleted" on a hard drive unless the drive is truly wiped clean and or rewritten. There are many programs out there that allow persons to "find" data erased or deleted by error, or in the hopes of evading such things from being found.
Many older Dell computers, and for all one knows, modern ones have a built in program called "ZZ TOP" that will totally wipe the hard drive clean and return the computer to out of the box status. Many Dell owners use this to clean their hard drives before giving away an unwanted computer to charity.
Nothing is ever truly "deleted" on a hard drive unless the drive is truly wiped clean and or rewritten. There are many programs out there that allow persons to "find" data erased or deleted by error, or in the hopes of evading such things from being found.
Many older Dell computers, and for all one knows, modern ones have a built in program called "ZZ TOP" that will totally wipe the hard drive clean and return the computer to out of the box status. Many Dell owners use this to clean their hard drives before giving away an unwanted computer to charity.
"How many terrorists would carry laptops to our borders?"
I'm sure there are some. The problem is--what chances are there that they'll be caught? Probably, not many. The terrorist to really fear will be smart enough to plan ahead. Especially now that these searches are becoming public knowledge. Most of the people who are "caught" are probably not going to be the people we really want to catch.
I'm sure there are some. The problem is--what chances are there that they'll be caught? Probably, not many. The terrorist to really fear will be smart enough to plan ahead. Especially now that these searches are becoming public knowledge. Most of the people who are "caught" are probably not going to be the people we really want to catch.
A few words about deletion
I'm aware about the issue of deleting files. That's what I was thinking of when I talked about "complete delete" software and that dragging files to the trash isn't good enough.
The most secure approach for deleting data is to destroy the hard drive.
The second best is software that will completely erase, by writing random data, ideally with several passes. There are various choices out there, depending on what operating system is being used.
One possible idea would be to totally erase the hard drive (after backing up all important data--ideally, more than once!). Then, reinstall just the basics before leaving town. This could be a computer performance advantage for those running Windows--Windows, or so I've been told, tends to slow down over time, and many experts reinstall it regularly just to keep things moving in a spritely fashion.
Or, some might consider having a second hard drive, that would be swapped with the "original" drive, just before leaving town. One advantage--the second drive would be convenient should the primary drive fail when at home.
I'm aware about the issue of deleting files. That's what I was thinking of when I talked about "complete delete" software and that dragging files to the trash isn't good enough.
The most secure approach for deleting data is to destroy the hard drive.
The second best is software that will completely erase, by writing random data, ideally with several passes. There are various choices out there, depending on what operating system is being used.
One possible idea would be to totally erase the hard drive (after backing up all important data--ideally, more than once!). Then, reinstall just the basics before leaving town. This could be a computer performance advantage for those running Windows--Windows, or so I've been told, tends to slow down over time, and many experts reinstall it regularly just to keep things moving in a spritely fashion.
Or, some might consider having a second hard drive, that would be swapped with the "original" drive, just before leaving town. One advantage--the second drive would be convenient should the primary drive fail when at home.
toggleswitch2
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2008
- Messages
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Now that we all live in glass houses, we need to learn to ur
oh darlings there is no such thing as (electronic) privacy.
It's along the same lines of the Cinder(f)ella myth of "I will love you (the same way I do today) forever".
IIRC one signs an electronic "agreement" with AOL that Uncle Sam may peep into your computer. You know those "free" health-checks and scans that that service offers you to "tune-up" your computer? Guess what. The contents of your PC may be being recorded and copied elsewhere.
Remember this:
If you can get "out" (to the internet, etc) someone else can get "in".
The rule of thumb STILL applies, never put anything in writing. Add to that: Consider all internet communications "live" and forwardable for at least 5 years. If you dont want it being circulated in the next five years, don't write it!
Burn me once and shame on you. Burn me twice and shame on me!
oh darlings there is no such thing as (electronic) privacy.
It's along the same lines of the Cinder(f)ella myth of "I will love you (the same way I do today) forever".
IIRC one signs an electronic "agreement" with AOL that Uncle Sam may peep into your computer. You know those "free" health-checks and scans that that service offers you to "tune-up" your computer? Guess what. The contents of your PC may be being recorded and copied elsewhere.
Remember this:
If you can get "out" (to the internet, etc) someone else can get "in".
The rule of thumb STILL applies, never put anything in writing. Add to that: Consider all internet communications "live" and forwardable for at least 5 years. If you dont want it being circulated in the next five years, don't write it!
Burn me once and shame on you. Burn me twice and shame on me!
Well, any computer connected to the Internet can be hacked into...theoretically. But one can make it very, very, very hard.
A big thing, of course, is simply to take common sense precautions. I remember seeing something on a web page recently. Somebody who, graciously, was performing a virus check on my system. And, oh, dear, they turned up several viruses on my "C:" drive. Amazing trick, since I don't have a "C:" drive.
But I can imagine many users clicking on the "click here" spot on that "virus checker" And then going on to do whatever it wants. Which could, ultimately, be evil. For all I know, it might actually install a few viruses while cleaning up supposed infections.
Back to the original topic, the thing with laptop checks is that no hacking is required. They take the computer, and study it. And that applies to a laptop used just for Internet surfing. Or a laptop that has never been connected to the Internet, used as some sort of production machine.
A big thing, of course, is simply to take common sense precautions. I remember seeing something on a web page recently. Somebody who, graciously, was performing a virus check on my system. And, oh, dear, they turned up several viruses on my "C:" drive. Amazing trick, since I don't have a "C:" drive.
But I can imagine many users clicking on the "click here" spot on that "virus checker" And then going on to do whatever it wants. Which could, ultimately, be evil. For all I know, it might actually install a few viruses while cleaning up supposed infections.
Back to the original topic, the thing with laptop checks is that no hacking is required. They take the computer, and study it. And that applies to a laptop used just for Internet surfing. Or a laptop that has never been connected to the Internet, used as some sort of production machine.
panthera
Well-known member
The EC has warned
Europeans carrying sensitive commercial, governmental or military information to never carry their laptop, PDA, mobile phone or what have you into the US for some time now.
We all want terrorism stopped, it just really makes you wonder how many more rights and how much more privacy Americans are going to give up...In an era when virtually unlimited storage and truly unlimited access is available on the entire planet, what a silly, useless thing to do.
Even my first semester students have 10Gb free storage, web browser accessible. If someone did have information they didn't want a responsible government to find out about, they'd just upload it then access it when they needed it.
I sometimes wonder if people making these decisions in the US have ever taken the time to see how much further along the rest of the world is? Was having drinks with friends last week on the veranda. Loud, smoky diesel powered truck went by. Commented on how that problem had long since been solved in Europe - you can't tell a modern diesel powered passenger car apart from a gasoline powered car anymore. All the Europeans nodded, 'yup', all the Americans were either astonished or plain flat refused to believe it. One guy said, and I quote, if Detroit hadn't done it, it couldn't be done.
Sheesh.
Europeans carrying sensitive commercial, governmental or military information to never carry their laptop, PDA, mobile phone or what have you into the US for some time now.
We all want terrorism stopped, it just really makes you wonder how many more rights and how much more privacy Americans are going to give up...In an era when virtually unlimited storage and truly unlimited access is available on the entire planet, what a silly, useless thing to do.
Even my first semester students have 10Gb free storage, web browser accessible. If someone did have information they didn't want a responsible government to find out about, they'd just upload it then access it when they needed it.
I sometimes wonder if people making these decisions in the US have ever taken the time to see how much further along the rest of the world is? Was having drinks with friends last week on the veranda. Loud, smoky diesel powered truck went by. Commented on how that problem had long since been solved in Europe - you can't tell a modern diesel powered passenger car apart from a gasoline powered car anymore. All the Europeans nodded, 'yup', all the Americans were either astonished or plain flat refused to believe it. One guy said, and I quote, if Detroit hadn't done it, it couldn't be done.
Sheesh.
launderess
Well-known member
Americans Giving Up "Rights"
Sadly this has happened before, and it normally either must run it's course or until people finally get fed up and put a stop to things.
Remember McCarthy? US citizens of Japanese decent being rounded up and locked away? Persons thrown into jail and held there because it was war time of their views and or they failed to toe the line?
Thinking goes amoung many Americans "well good, let them lock them up.... and so forth, after all the government is getting all the right people. Things go that way until one of the "good" people gets hauled into the nets, then another. Suddenly everyone wakes up and smells the coffee.
Sadly this has happened before, and it normally either must run it's course or until people finally get fed up and put a stop to things.
Remember McCarthy? US citizens of Japanese decent being rounded up and locked away? Persons thrown into jail and held there because it was war time of their views and or they failed to toe the line?
Thinking goes amoung many Americans "well good, let them lock them up.... and so forth, after all the government is getting all the right people. Things go that way until one of the "good" people gets hauled into the nets, then another. Suddenly everyone wakes up and smells the coffee.
whirlcool
Well-known member
From what I am told when your computer is taken from you by homeland security offsite, they back it up(make a copy of all of it) before returning it to you. Then the data is linked to your name and depending on the information retrieved, you may end up on the no-fly list.
It seems between Homeland Security, the TSA and the government all the fun in travel has been taken away, bit by bit. What used to be a lot of fun is now a major PITA.
It seems between Homeland Security, the TSA and the government all the fun in travel has been taken away, bit by bit. What used to be a lot of fun is now a major PITA.
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