Travel Security Checklist

vs Day-to-Day

When you travel, your security state changes.

At your home you are safest and in an adversary’s territory you are the most vulnerable.

Ensure these steps to stay safe whenever you travel:

Products

1. Secure Backpack - Pacsafe

2. Faraday bag - SLNT

3. Portable WiFi Hotspot

Check list

before you fly (also check out local laws)

1. Ensure all devices and apps are updated

2. Enable Lockdown mode if on iOS

3. Lower screen timeouts - 30 seconds

4. shutdown phones while airport security checking in.

5. Delete any sensitive app or data (wallets etc)

6. (Optional) Add AirTags to each bag.

7. Backup 2FA keys off the app, encrypt it and store it in a pendrive and leave it beside the backup hardware key at home.

8. Bitwarden currently doesn’t have a “travel mode” so what I suggest is keep 2 accounts with them - one travel and other home. Delete the home one when travelling and keep the most sensitive passwords there.

9. (Optional) Have an alternate device at home with the most essential stuff on it.

10. If you are caring external devices, ensure they are fully encrypted (I suggest Veracrypt).

11. Setup Proton VPN on each device, better - setup a VPN at home and connect to that.

12. Delete any Sensitive data/apps on devices after backing it to home computer.

13. (Optional) I recommend carrying “burner” devices, not your staple ones when travelling.

14. Turn off wifi, bluetooth, Airdrop or any sharing features of your mobiles.

on-trip

Avoid posting anything on social media while on trip.

Don’t share booking reference numbers or boarding passes with anyone that doesn’t need it.

Store it in proton drive.

Passport

Before Trip:

1. Scan the images of all passport pages including the blank ones.

2. iMessage the pdf to family members and protonmail it to yourself.

3. Hard copies of the first & last page + relevant visa (Always give copy to anyone who asks, never the original)

On Trip:

1. Store it somewhere safe. (inner compartments or hotel locker)

2. Always carry the copies with you and if anyone asks, explain to them that the original is at the hotel.

If stolen:

1. Report the incident to the nearest police station.

2. Alert your insurance company

3. Get the hard copy of report and make hard/soft copies as well.

4. Visit your country’s nearest embassy, whatever docs you have (soft copies) will help.

5. Authorities often give authorized certificate but you may ask for new copy of passport.

Docs needed for Emergency

1. Front and back pages of lost passport

2. Copy of Police report

3. Passport size photos

4. Air tickets + visa copies

5. Complete itinerary

6. Cover letter for reissue of passport

Re-apply for visas with new passport if needed.

Further Reading

https://ssd.eff.org/module/things-consider-when-crossing-us-border

https://www.eff.org/document/eff-border-search-pocket-guide

https://ssd.eff.org/module/attending-protest