Let's assume that a PI firm is on your trail, employed by a law firm with unlimited funds. They are after your list of sent e-mails (encrypted or not) and they use
illegal associates who are skilled in computer theft.
I myself do not send confidential e-mails. (For that, I use snail mail). Nevertheless, I do take steps to protect my computer files as a general practice. First, I travel with an Asus Eee netbook which weighs about 3 pounds and has a six-cell battery with a nine-hour life. It's easy to carry in a slim shoulder bag so I often take it with me when I leave the room. Otherwise,
it fits into most room safes. (I just took the picture shown here while meeting with a client for a
consultation at the Encore in Las Vegas.)
If your hotel room does not have a safe, then you may wish to travel with a suitcase that has combination locks. Slip your laptop into the suitcase before you leave the room, and lock it.Or, if the room contains a tall piece of furniture (such as is used to house the television
set), lay the laptop up there when you're away from the room.
Maids, when cleaning a room, can sometimes be fooled into letting a stranger posing as the room's occupant slip into the room. The excuse will be something like "I forgot to pick up my laptop." However, when a quick glance around does not reveal it, the intruder may assume you have taken it with you.
Protecting your computer at the airport presents a different series of dangers and may--if enough interest is shown--be the subject of a future post.
Labels: computer protection, computer theft, consulting, room safe, safe travel
Privacy blog post by JJ Luna at 12:07 AM
