Tricky decision to make if you are among the millions that travel for work…. how safe is it? Will the new “laptop travel ban” affect me? What airports am I connecting through that are of concern?  Is public Wi-Fi secure? Did that person just look over my shoulder (a.k.a. Shoulder Surfing) while I was opening an email with client information all over it?

Some examples of reported incidents: full disk copies made while laptop owner was out of the hotel room, laptops stolen at security screening lines, wireless access services have been monitored by third parties to gain information transmitted through Wi-Fi service, malicious software installations (including viruses), and programs that capture log-in data and automatically transmit key data to other locations.

The Travel Ban affects travel abroad (not domestic) for certain Country airports. “The U.S. ban so far targets nonstop flights from Egypt, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. No U.S. carriers fly to the affected cities, and the ban doesn’t apply to travel that originates in the U.S.”  Click here for more information.

But, if you are like me and worry about what “data” is accessible or potentially at risk for someone getting their hands on…then the “airport” isn’t so much the issue…it’s those “hackers” looming out there in the wild (both for domestic and foreign travel).

So tips from a nervous nelly –  like me – would be: don’t use public Wi-Fi, be leery of shoulder surfers and be situational aware, lock up your laptop in a hotel safe when not in use, and – if possible – bring a loaner laptop when traveling to foreign countries (see: http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/embargoed_countries/).

Sounds like an old cliché – but if something feels funny….chances are..…it’s not funny!

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Photo of Joanne Rapuano Joanne Rapuano

Joanne Rapuano, a member of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group and Manufacturing Industry Group, focuses her practice on international trade and federal regulatory compliance matters, including government enforcement. Ms. Rapuano provides clients with advice on how to comply with federal trade regulations…

Joanne Rapuano, a member of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group and Manufacturing Industry Group, focuses her practice on international trade and federal regulatory compliance matters, including government enforcement. Ms. Rapuano provides clients with advice on how to comply with federal trade regulations, including Export Administration Regulations and International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, she handled trade compliance matters for United Technologies Corporation and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company. Ms. Rapuano also advises on U.S. import regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control matters, antiboycotting rules, corporate compliance programs, business disputes, and trade association activities. She has broad regulatory experience, including advising organizations with compliance challenges, providing legal advice to foreign companies entering the U.S. market, and conducting internal audits and investigations. In addition to her trade compliance experience, Ms. Rapuano has handled complex commercial and employment litigation for corporate clients. Read her full rc.com bio here.