Secure Us Phone Article For Free

Remember that Customs and Border Protection is legally allowed to search your phone even if they don't suspect you of wrongdoing, so if you have sensitive data or information, you'd be wise to power down your phone and keep it tucked away until you're through customs.

Cell phones, again, to lessen the chance of exposure through unauthorized pictures. Also, phones can trigger explosive devises, whether purposefully or accidentally. Phones can also be used to signal another person who may be abetting a crime in the secured area. The obvious reason, security.

CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.

Lawful interception. Governments may sometimes legally monitor mobile phone communications - a procedure known as lawful interception. In the United States, the government pays phone companies directly to record and collect cellular communications from specified individuals.

Utilize a VPN If you're unsure about the security status of the network you're connected to, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client is mandatory. A VPN will enable you to connect to a network securely. At the same time, the VPN will shield your browsing activity on public wifi from prying eyes.

Apply software updates and security patches This one should be easy: when you buy a new smartphone, whether that's an Android smartphone or an Apple iPhone, one of the very first things you should do when setting it up is download the latest update for the operating system.

U.S. Customs officers have broad legal authority to search and seize the possessions of individuals (U.S. citizens and non-citizens) seeking to enter the United States; this includes searching and seizing laptops and other electronic devices.