CBP Seizing Laptops at the border

by TG12
5 replies
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Do you travel alot? I have been hearing story's about where peoples laptops were sized as they crossed borders by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Obviously there are a lot of privacy issues surrounding this, Does this worry you? I was thinking of releasing a small app that would mask any personal data and protect your privacy, I was going to release it for free of course I dont know if would get away with charging for it.
  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    Originally Posted by TG12 View Post

    Do you travel alot? I have been hearing story's about where peoples laptops were sized as they crossed borders by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Obviously there are a lot of privacy issues surrounding this, Does this worry you? I was thinking of releasing a small app that would mask any personal data and protect your privacy, I was going to release it for free of course I dont know if would get away with charging for it.

    unless that app is somehow connected to a major magnet and power source, its only pseudo protection.

    another words, it doesn't matter how its encrypted. If they want the info, they will get it. if your thinking over writing the disk with garbage data.
    there wont have enough time to do it properly.

    IMHO, if you really are worried about people losing their info at th e borders, find a diffrent solution.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    The ****ONLY**** way such an app could work is if it had strong encryption through only a user sdelected key, and ALL files were encrypted. You would give that away?

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      The ****ONLY**** way such an app could work is if it had strong encryption through only a user sdelected key, and ALL files were encrypted. You would give that away?

      Steve
      a user selected key is ONLY as strong as the individual who knows it.

      and if they are sitting in a holding cell or being interrogated for a few hrs

      i guarantee you ... that key is useless, they will sing like a canary.

      -- edit --
      there is no such thing any more as uncrackable encryption.
      there hasn't been for a few years.

      encryption is now tantamount to a lock on a house.

      it only keeps out the honest people
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

        a user selected key is ONLY as strong as the individual who knows it.

        and if they are sitting in a holding cell or being interrogated for a few hrs

        i guarantee you ... that key is useless, they will sing like a canary.

        -- edit --
        there is no such thing any more as uncrackable encryption.
        there hasn't been for a few years.

        encryption is now tantamount to a lock on a house.

        it only keeps out the honest people
        I was writting my response as you wrote yours, and almost followed up by saying that you were right. You ARE, of course, right, but the method I described is the only one that has a chance to give one a chance. I just thought of something I might even patent! If it isn't already done, it may soon be!

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          I just thought of something I might even patent! If it isn't already done, it may soon be!

          Steve

          isn't that an awesome fealing? i often get ideas based of a little conversation.

          some of them have even made me some decent money.

          Congrats !!! run with it, all the way to the bank.
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