Reconfiguring Your Views On Airport Security
There’s been a lot of news and reaction to last week’s attempted bombing of a US-bound Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been quick to implement a series of vague and ineffective security countermeasures. These include prohibiting passengers from having anything in their laps for the last 60 minutes of international flights to the US.
Having worked as a security expert for years and still doing so part-time, I’m of the opinion that these security measures – and the overall approach of the TSA – is flawed. As frequent fliers and travelers it’s important to reconfigure your views on airport security to look at the larger system in play, worry less about flying, and realize the impact it has on the economy of travel.
The Airport Is The Last, Not First Line Of Defense
It’s attractive to look at airport security and imagine all of the action-movie terrorist schemes that could cause a major catastrophe on an airplane. Except that airport security is the last line of defense. Coordinated terrorist plots take planning, communication, and the acquisition of weapons and other materials. These are where bad guys are foiled, not at the airport.
- Good investigation, monitoring, and police work are the most effective ways to prevent terror events. When these systems fail, airport security can do little to prevent an attack. Consider September 11th and this latest attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, both preventable but weren’t due to flaws with basic police work.
Catching The Crazy and The Stupid
Airport security is designed to catch the crazy and the stupid, as well as ladies who might overthrow an airplane with more than 3 ounces of perfume. While Abdulmutallab was able to sneak powdered explosives on board according to initial reports, the amount of explosives would be unlikely to take down an airliner.
- The single most important security countermeasure which helped prevent this latest attack (and shoe bomber Richard Reid) from being successful was the reaction of the crew and other passengers. They reacted quickly to subdue both attempted terror events preventing them from igniting the explosives.
Sophisticated attacks take a great deal of planning, communication, and don’t happen out of the blue. Airport security isn’t designed to thwart well-coordinated terrorist attack attempts, that’s the job of other agencies. Airport security only catches the dumb, stupid, and lone attacker.
It Has No End
Solid investigative work to prevent attacks in the planning stages is the where more security funding should be spent because the TSA brand of reacting to each specific threat has no end. After an attempted shoe bombing the TSA has people taking off shoes, and after the ‘liquid bombers‘ were caught (by investigators, not airport security), liquids more than an arbitrary 3 ounces were banned (unless it’s contact lens solution, then you can bring up to 24 ounces). Matches and lighters were also banned briefly, among other common travel items.
The problem is that these security measures are trying to prevent previous methods of attack, all of which were unsuccessful for three reasons.
- The reaction of the crew and other passengers.
- Investigation and monitoring during the planning stages (not the final stage) of the terror plot.
- Locked cockpit doors.
- (Additionally) It also hasn’t been shown that these attacks are feasible and that these security measures have been effective.
Someone can still go on a shooting rampage at an airport security checkpoint, try to open a door on an airplane, or come up with another way to damage an airplane in-flight. Ban shoes, terrorists will use liquids; ban those and they’ll use something else. Security can’t (easily) prevent or predict a lone attacker but good police work can catch coordinated attacks well before they can ever be executed.
Why You Should Care
Aside from the inconvenience of airport security and not being able to read or leave your seat upon descent all of these measures are costly and questionably effective. What if the next terror attack attempt happens in the second hour of flight, does that mean more time sitting and not doing anything in hour 2? Security should be both cost effective and practical. How about the day someone tries to blowup a laptop or book and those are banned from flights. Imagine the impact on business travel – and the airlines who are already struggling.
You can voice your concerns to your politicians, no matter where you are to your government and even interact with the TSA via their blog. Security should be effective and to do so airport security needs to stop watching movies and start getting down to the boring basics. Crippling the airline industry, being a detriment to business travel, and keeping people in fear only provides the terrorists with their ultimate goal – to terrorize the innocent.
[photos by: alist, steuben, Arenamontanus, mudkat]
How To Protect Your Laptop From Thieves and Customs Agents Using TrueCrypt Hidden Folders
Your personal data, files, and pictures are easy game for thieves and customs agents if you don’t encrypt them on your laptop or USB drives. The free program TrueCrypt is an essential software tool for digital nomads and an effective way to keep your data safe from the TSA (and others).
This tutorial is a bit on the technical side but in a few quick steps you can create a secret hidden folder on any laptop or USB thumb drive so customs agents or thieves won’t be the wiser.
These steps are specific to Windows machines but the process is very similar on a Mac. This entire process should take about 5 minutes.
Step 1: Download and Install TrueCrypt
Download the latest Windows, Mac, (or Linux) version and follow the default installation steps (basically click ‘Next’ until you’re through). You’ll be asked to reboot once you’re done. Go ahead and reboot your computer.
Step 2: Run TrueCrypt
There should be a TrueCrypt icon on your desktop or Start Menu folder after you reboot your system. Find the TrueCrypt icon and double-click it to launch the program.
3 Simple Ways To Protect Your Credit Card When Booking Travel Arrangements Online
Booking flights, hotel reservations, and other travel arrangements online is generally a safe procedure. While most of the major booking websites, like Kayak and Orbitz take care to encrypt your credit card and other personal information when you book, there are a number of ways your credit card number can be misused after you click ‘Ok’.
Fortunately, using a number of free services and some ingenuity you can protect your personal information and keep your credit card number safe – without even giving it away when making online travel arrangements.
First, the Basics
Before you read further, if you’re not familiar with some basic online security tips, I’ve written some posts in the past to help you get started to browsing and booking safely online.
- Use your own computer or laptop if you can, but if you must use and Internet cafe, make sure you keep your online accounts safe.
- As Max recommends, check to see if the website you’re booking through uses a secure channel before booking. Look for the url to begin with httpS. (Almost all of the major booking companies do.)
- Avoid wireless connections and never use computer-to-computer networks. Hack your own wi-fi and use HotSpot Shield with Tor to protect your browsing.
3 Simple Steps
Now that you’re caught up with the basics, here are 3 simple ways to protect your credit card when booking that next flight.
1. Use A One-Time Credit Card Number – Most times your credit card number is safest online. It’s when that number gets sent to hotel staff, travel agents, or other agencies that it’s handled inappropriately – like being written down, as Darren notes . Many credit card companies, and Paypal, offer one-time-use credit card numbers that are only valid for a single online transaction and protect you from fraud. Give them a call to find out if the option is available to you or switch to bank that offers it.
- Here are some links to more information about one-time credit card number offerings.
How To Protect Your Home When You Travel
After reading Priyank’s encounter with a burglar in his home I began to think about how vulnerable our dwellings are, especially when we’re not in them. Travelers who will be gone for even a few days from their homes can take a few simple measures to protect them and deter thieves.
We take so many precautions to protect the things we travel with and you should do the same for all the things you leave behind.
- Install A Fake Security Camera - Most of the precautions you need to take are about deterrence since you won’t be able to stop a burglar once their inside. Install a fake security camera above each door to your home. Amazon sells a pretty convincing pair for about $20 each.
- Make A Sign For Your Home Monitoring Service - Print and laminate a lawn sign for name-your-own home monitoring service or replicate one by ADT, Brinks, or any well-known local name in your area. Study after study shows these are just as effective as the actual alarm systems for warding off crooks (who just move on to the next house).
- Used signs can also be found on eBay.
- Talk To Your Nosey Neighbors – We’ve all got that person on the block or in our apartment building that just has to know what everyone is up to. As annoying as they are, these people are great security resources. If they’re friendly ask them to keep an eye on your place and give your friend (someone who lives nearby) a ring if they see anything suspicious.
Why Making Hotel Terrorism Saftey Plans Are A Waste of Time
Spending the time to make a safety plan against terror during your next hotel stay is a complete waste of time. The statistics don’t support it, a single plan only protects you from a specific threat, and you’d need to be a damn good psychic in order to be successful.
I went ahead with a trip to India last week and stayed at the Oberoi hotel (one of the chains attacked in Mumbai) in Bangalore, despite the attacks. As tragic as those acts of terrorism were, there’s no need for you to spend time or worry over the possibility of a terrorist attack during your next hotel stay.
Dying In A Terrorist Attack Is Really, Very Rare
Losing your life because of a terrorist attack is a rare event, and according to terrorism expert Brian Jenkins, the chances of getting killed in a hotel terrorist attack is 1 in a million.
By comparison, he said, the average American has about a one in 8,000 chance of dying in an auto accident.
Consider the real dangers, not the unlikely ones (India for example has the second most dangerous roads in the world.) A general rule of thumb is that items that make it on the local or national news are the events that are least likely to happen, like plane crashes.
A Plan For An Unknown Type of Attack
There are plenty of ways that have been used to terrorize hotels in the past, bombs, arson, and recently gunmen. Any plan you make will end up being specific to a certain type of attack, which you can’t effectively predict. Jeffrey Goldberg suggests staying on the 4th, 5th, or 6th floor – but it won’t do you any good.
I try to be high enough to escape whatever chaos might occur on the ground floor, but not so high that I can’t be reached. I’m always of two or three minds on this question; it’s also not a bad idea to stay on a floor close enough to the ground that a jump will leave you with broken legs and nothing more.
In the case of the Mumbai attacks, several hostages were rescued by helicopter from the roof and nobody escaped by jumping out of a window.
Don’t Fall For The Taxi Scams At Indian Airports
August 27, 2008 by Anil P.
Filed under Advice, Car, Security, Travel Journal
It hadn’t been 5 minutes since I cleared customs in Delhi when a young Indian guy asked me if I needed a taxi and lead me to his green and yellow car sitting right outside of the airport. I knew better, but want to see what he was up to. The entire time he was rather talkative, asking questions about where I was from and doing in India – none of which I answered truthfully. Then I asked him how far away the hotel was, “25 kilometers” he replied for 3875 rupees (~$89 dollars).
Of course I didn’t get in, I went over to a prepaid taxi stand, paid 270 rupees ($6.20) for a short 5km trip down the road to my hotel.
I read about such cons at Indian airports before my previous trip to Bangalore, but it’s easy for someone to get taken in the confusing atmosphere outside of the terminal. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to avoid getting ripped off (or worse) with a few simple precautions.
Always Get Your Cab From A Prepaid Taxi Stand - These government-run booths are located toward the exit of the major airports with bold yellow signs. The prices are set by the state and the licensed drivers can be trusted to take you straight to your destination. You will also be provided an official receipt after prepaying.
Bagcam Watches The TSA Since You Can’t
Ever wonder what happens to your luggage once it’s checked in? Computer hacker “Algormor” got sick of seeing TSA notices of baggage inspection and placed a specialized video camera to find out what was going on.
I was able to attend a talk given by Algormor about the “bagcam” at The Last HOPE conference 3 weeks ago. Here are the highlights of what his hidden bagcam captured.
- Not surprisingly luggage was tossed about carelessly.
- Suitcases (in the US) pass through X-ray machines before they are passed along to personnel who take them to each plane.
- Many of the TSA staff were not watching the monitors – chatting with each other and one with arms folded staring at the ceiling.
Algormor has posted the slides from his presentation, which go into further detail and outline how to create your own bagcam as well his bagcam videos. Setting up a bagcam takes about 10 minutes and the equipment costs about $150-$500 depending on the quality and features of the camera. Although he hasn’t caught anything damning yet he will continue filming since he believes it’s only a matter of time before he does.
Unfortunately, I tend to agree.
[photo by: RobotSkirts]
Mail Your Hard Drive Back To The US To Avoid DHS Confiscation
Protect your personal data and computer contents from being indefinitely confiscated upon entry to the US by removing your laptop hard drive and mailing it ahead. Newly released policy documents from the Department of Homeland Security make clear that,
Federal agents may take a traveler’s laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing.
Many travelers have been shipping their luggage to avoid airline fees, but the fees for international travel are still prohibitively expensive. The cheapest option is to remove your laptop hard drive and mail it back a day or two before you return to the US.
The cost is approximately $75 for UPS and FedEx, but you’re sure to keep your data safe in case your laptop gets confiscated at the airport. Mailing your hard drive carries its own risks so always do the following.
Create A Simple, Temporary Travel Email Account
Stay in touch with your friends and family without jeopardizing the information in your email account by setting up a temporary travel account.
There are several free and quick ways to do this without having to create a huge number of additional accounts.
Create A Travel Email Account – Open a new email account with your current provider.? The new account should be your regular email address with “trav” at the end of it (i.e. “cindy@yahoo.com” becomes “cindytrav@yahoo.com”).
- Hotmail and Yahoo - These two email providers don’t have forwarding capabilities, but the free download GetMail can do it for you. Have all of your emails forwarded to the new account to protect your privacy abroad.
- Set up a vacation response (Gmail can do this too) telling your friends and family that you’re out traveling and to contact your ‘trav’ address.
- Gmail - Forwarding capabilities are built it as well strong filtering capabilities (Settings > Filters).
- In your primary account setup a filter for any words, people, or businesses you don’t want to be bothered by while on vacation. Have only the email you want delivered to your “trav” account forwarded.
TSA Tries To Calm Security Fears By Seeing You Naked
The TSA is testing out brighter uniforms, updated terrorist lists, and 30-millimeter wave machines that can see through clothing to ease the security line experience for passengers.
Airlines, which check passenger names against the list, will now be allowed to accept dates of birth from passengers to more thoroughly check information against the watch lists, Chertoff said. Once passengers have proven that they are not suspected terrorists, they will be able to print boarding passes at kiosks or at home, rather than going through a check-in line, Chertoff said.
Which makes me wonder how someone “proves” they are not a terrorist. None of these new features, being tested at BWI, make me feel more at ease or secure. What is “the security of the future” that makes you the least comfortable?
What New TSA Idea Makes You The Most Uncomfortable?
- Whole Body Machines That Let Screeners See You Naked (50%, 1 Votes)
- These Measures May Actually Improve Security (50%, 1 Votes)
- Brightly Dressed Employees (0%, 0 Votes)
- Soothing Blue Lights (0%, 0 Votes)
- Being Able To Prove You're Not A Terrorist (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 2
Loading ...[photo by: vidrio]
My name is Anil, a traveler and travel enthusiast. I created foXnoMad to connect with other travelers, discover their world, and share what I’ve learned about mine.