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Laptop travel tips to help you keep your laptop secure and avoid hassle when dealing with Security and Customs.
BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE IMAGE YOUR HARDDISK OR AT LEAST BACK IT UP.
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So lets begin. Defrag and CHKDSK before you go. You want the HD as efficient as possible. Also to help prevent damage when being moved about.
Vacuum - hoover out the vents and keyboard. ESPECIALLIY if you are traveling to Dubai, Saudi, or Singapore. Clean Keyboard and surrounds with a clean cloth or a steriwipe. Use a soft brush when th epc is powerd off. and clean gently inthe keyboard blow into it or use clean air (spray can) and Vacuum it out.
Turn it upside down and blow it out. If you know how to remove Keyboard and be more though and clean out the bays in the laptop too. All sorts of stuff falls off us and our surrouding areas.
I would also Encrypt data just in case it does get robbed or lost. But remove any files you wouldn't mind your granny seeing. Some countries you can get a longer trip then you hoped for. clean your underware or we can do it for you.
PGP helps you protect your data.
Carry your Laptop or Pack It Away?
Keep it with you at all times. It goes with you on the flight as carry-on baggage. Do not store it in the overhead storage area; it could get knocked around by someone else. Absolutely do not put your laptop in with your other baggage. Baggage handlers aren't’t expecting expensive electronics to be in the stored baggage areas and you can’t expect it to be treated as a fragile object. Generally if they do find
something like that it gets an extra kick just to be sure.
Visual Inspection.
You may be required to remove your laptop from its carrying case and turn it on to demonstrate to Security/Customs that the laptop is exactly that – a functioning computer. A good way to save time if you anticipate this happening is to turn
on your laptop earlier and leave it in suspend mode. This is
a good reason to ensure that your laptop battery is kept charged. When your laptop is examined in this manner it is often called “hand checking”. They will also sometime do nitrate swipe test. So If you have been anywhere involving chemicals clean your laptop down first with some suitable cleaner.
Should You X-Ray Your Laptop?
Letting your laptop go through the x-ray equipment will not
harm your laptop. The magnetic field which is generated is
not enough to cause harm to your hard drive or cause damage
to your data. Metal detectors on the other hand, can cause
damage and request politely that Security/Customs do not
use the metal detector but do a hand check instead. Metal
detectors can cause memory to malfunction and or wipe out hibernation files resulting in a boot loop from hell.
Proof of ownership
It’s very important when returning to your country of origin,
that you have the correct Customs documentation or original
receipts. These show that the laptop and other mobile gear
is what you left the country with. The onus is on you to prove
that you already own the equipment and did not purchase it
while traveling. You will have to pay duty and taxes on items purchased while traveling if you can’t provide proof of
ownership
. Or they will cease it pending proof. This results in a hassle
and often the laptop gets lots in oblivion.
Keep a Low Profile
Don’t draw attention to yourself while waiting for your flight
or while in-flight. While waiting for your flight and using your
laptop, pick an area where you will have some privacy and don’t
have to worry about someone looking over your shoulder. If it’s
too crowded, don’t use your laptop, and waiting for a time when
it’s less crowded. If someone is curious about your laptop, be
brief but polite and pack it away.. They could a crook wanting
to relive you of you laptop. Many Scams are run by teams of
people with a lot of common laptop bags and they will switch
bags so quickly you wont notice till you get to your destination
or are on the plane. Be vigilant.
ALSO never use a bag that says LAPTOP or has a computer brand on it its asking for grief. Dont use company logos or stickers it can make you a target in some countries.
Don't Let Your Laptop Out of Sight
See above also.
If you let your laptop get out of sight even for
a few minutes, it could be gone. If you have to use the facilities
in an airport, take your laptop bag with you.
The only exception
is if you are traveling with someone you know and trust(even then i wouldnt), but
remind them to
not leave your laptop unattended. While going through the Security/Customs screening keep a close view of
your laptop if you are required to set it down for any reason. Scammers use choke points or confusion points to execute their
trade. don't think that just because your at a check point your
safe n secure.
Its not unknown for bent staff to be working with the scammers.
The Airport Laptop Scam
Two people will get in line ahead of you
at the security area. You have placed your laptop on the
conveyor belt and it has moved ahead. The first person goes
through with no problems but the second has many difficulties.
While you and Security/Customs are distracted, the first takes
off with your laptop. Always wait until the last moment to put
your laptop on the conveyor belt. I have advised people to use
a retractable key chain and hook and connect one to the bag
one to your belt and only remove it when you have to.
Keep Your Laptop Case Locked
In order to prevent someone from helping themselves to
your
other mobile gear and documents, keep your laptop bag locked.
If you have it sitting on the floor by your feet it is possible
for someone to get access to it unless it has been locked. Another
reason for keeping your laptop case locked is so that someone
is not able to put anything “extra” in your laptop case. An open
case could be a tempting location for someone to drop an item
into, then later take the case to get the item.
Make sure that you are familiar with your laptop before you
depart on a trip
Carry your laptop in a bag designed for
laptop computers but a discreet one.
In hotel rooms, many of the devices (alarm clock, hair drier,
television etc.) contain magnets that can damage your data.
Use extra caution when drinking anything near your laptop
computer.
Never check your laptop computer as luggage on
an airline, bus, etc.
On long transatlantic flights, ask to be seated at an emergency
exit because there is a 110 Volt/AC outlet right in front of each
exit door in the outside wall of Boeing 747s where you can plug
in; you will need a US adapter though.
If you use a PMCIA card modem, (1) always carry one as a
spare even if your laptop has an internal modem, and
(2) either
use one with an X-jack connector or bring an
extra dongle.
Make sure you know the power type and the plug type
requirements for the country you are traveling to
Charge all your batteries before you leave on a trip carry
a spare if you need to.
You can also make system tweaks to increase battery
times. Here are some tweaks and tips.
Also make sure you have your equipment insured before
you travel. Add up the cost of a new
Laptop PDA
phone, camera Mp3 player ect.
1. Shut off Cd rom. disable it if you don't need it in device manager.
2. Reduce the colours used in display
3. Adjust windows memory allocation for best performance.
4. Have hard disks shut down after 1-2 min's.
5. Reduce the screen brightness to as low as you can.
6. Turn off system sounds and any application pop ups. don't run unneeded app's or programs.
7. Shut off firewall and antivirus if you don't need to go on-line.
8. Disable modem and network cards, wireless, bluetooth,
9. Disable USB ports.
10. Drain your battery totally and give a good long charge. Before you travel. After you have hte hand test done hold down power key and shut down. Suspend uses power up fast.
If you do all this you can get significant improvements in battery time.
PGP helps you protect your data.
Create anonymous, disposable email addresses to protect your personal accounts
against spam. Anonymizer Nyms
.
11. Make a note of your laptop's serial number and store it in a safe place.
12. Backup your work every day when you're on the road.
Backup to floppy disk or CD and keep separate from laptop equipment.
13. Use a security cable lock (fits into the laptop's keyhole) and fix it to something sturdy and immovable anytime you're not with your laptop.
14. If you have to sleep somewhere public like an airport lounge then secure your laptop to your seat via your security cable before you nod off. I also use the Key chain to my belt or leg.
15. Pack the laptop bag into a sports bag or ordinary briefcase, instead of the standard laptop case. Or rig up a breife case with foam to carry your Laptop.
16.
When you're not in your hotel room, ask to have your laptop locked in the hotel's safe.
Click here for some useful tips to try to resolve the problem yourself.
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