On the ground, back in Ohio (of course the airline "lost" my luggage for a time courtesy of the TSA).
Back in central Ohio. Got into Port Columbus around midnight Eastern, only to be informed that the airline "lost" my luggage. Not to worry, they said, because they knew where it was, they would just have to deliver it to where I was staying today. Right. Of all the passengers, mine were the only two bags (both of them, including the computer) "misplaced." Got them back early this afternoon with a nice "TSA inspected" ticket inside them. Searched them for dope, kiddie porn and explosives -- nothing obvious, not even the doughnut crumbs from the TSA inspector's lips. (However I haven't had time to look at the computer files.) I'll have to get me a new laptop when I can, I think, and I've already thrown away the medicines. Same with the tea bags. If they ever do decide they've had enough of me they'll try to make it look like natural causes.
I'll take the rest of the day to decompress and try to internalize and evaluate the incredible experiences of the past days. I've met some wonderful folks, not the least of whom were the Bundys. It will take me a while to go through my emails and release comments to the blog and I've only got an hour on the library computer. More later, if possible.
25 comments:
I wouldn't put it past them to plant something small and hard to find in your belongings. Is there anyone you trust with a bug detector, Geiger counter, or a K-9 drug dog?
I think a bigger danger would be some choice "kiddie porn" on your hard drive. It's damned hard to get anything like a fair hearing after the media sensationalizes that kind of charge.
Good luck!
Next time, pack light, carry-on only.
Even without them having physical possession of your computer, if you're running Microsoft, Google, Apple, or Facebook software, the FedPigs have been given backdoors which let them read any file on your computer without you knowing, and write to any file on your computer without you knowing. Unless you're willing to ditch all software from AT LEAST those companies, you are every bit as much at their mercy whether they have physically touched your computer or not.
You don't take your meds as carry on? I always do, do not trust the TSA baggers to know the difference between immuno-suppressing anti-rejection drugs and "the good shit". Not to mention "losing" my bags. I just make sure it is all in the original RX containers instead of my normal mix-n-match.
Guy
It is your computer you need to worry about.
I can't believe they let you fly without additional screening/harassment, that would cause you to miss your flight. They have to have current photos from Knob Creek and would certainly recognize the name Vanderboegh. I refuse to be screwed with in any way, so I don't even TRY to fly.
Get a briefcase and put your meds and laptop in the briefcase to carry on. Change of underwear, shirt and socks are good too. Make sure it fits the airline carry-on size requirements. God bless you and thanks for the Bundy updates.
Keep only the operating system, apps and drivers on your computer hard drive. Don't download emails - read online.
Keep your personal files on aa portable hard drive or when travelling on pen drives which can be 'zapped' with a 9 volt battery if necessary.
Double redundant back ups onto pen drives then purge the personal files from your computer.
Overwrite where they have been with a file security app.
Keep just the files you want them to see on your computer and keep the pen drives close at hand.
You are not paranoid if you know they are after you!
However do not ascribe to conspiracy that which can be explained by others incompetence and stupidity ...
III
Have someone get you setup with a Linux operating system on an encrypted USB drive. You can carry it in your pocket and use it on a friend's computer wherever you go.
Get rid of that hard drive now.
I bet the authorities loved scanning through your hard drive. I bet they flew someone in special just for you!
As a former airline employee, I concur with the others that have said to carry on your computer and meds if at all possible. Pack your clothes, lock and declare your guns, but anything else, CARRY ON.
No kidding, your computer.
Not that they wouldn't plant incriminating files, but the concern is "invisible" files that log everything you do on the 'puter and regularly phone it in to whatever .gov agency is keeping tabs on you.
I would strongly advise that you replace it, the complete thing, not just the hard-drive for general internet use and absolutely NOT transfer any files from it to the new machine as well as never connecting it (hard or wifi) to the web, or any other computerized device.
Lots of hard work to reconstruct those files by hand, but if you use any devise to transfer files, you will very likely transfer a "bug" as well.
Like your prescriptions, you can carry a laptop in carry-on baggage, making it be less apt to be fiddled with.
switch your OS if Microsoft to
Linux.
Can't Mr. Holder wait to read Absolved like the rest of us?
You should ALWAYS hand-carry everything you can't do without, such as your computer and its files. Never check your computer or anything else you don't want to lose, with baggage. I think you know why, now. If you check the computer as baggage, you might as well have given it to the government. Checked bags are OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. FLYING SUCKS! If I can't drive there, I ain't going.
- Old Greybeard
This is why I always have my laptop in a carry-on and, whenever possible, I fly with a firearm so I can have a legally locked checked bag.
They probably installed a hardware keylogger or the sort in your laptop with a kiddy porn trojan, get to far outta line and you're gonna have a kiddy porn explosion just as the feds come calling...
I'd second checking your data...and then I would recommend backing it up, and wiping the system. Replace Windows with Ubuntu with full disk encryption (or install TrueCrypt after you get everything up and running, but before you let it out of your sight.) http://www.truecrypt.org/docs/system-encryption
- IIIper in CA
These days one easy way to get rid of a problem is to load his computer up with child porn and call the appropriate goon squad (assuming you are not the appropriate goon squad). Hate to say it but the safest thing to do is destroy the hard drive immediately. Or even the whole computer. Next time meds and laptop do not leave your side. Or, do as I do and stay off of planes. Sad, as I love flying.
Research a little device called an "Ironkey". It's a hardware encrypted thumb drive with an abbreviated version of Mozilla Firefox installed. You plug it into any computer's USB port, open Mozilla, check or send web based email, update your blog. When you unplug it, there is no remaining trace that you were ever on that computer. If somebody tries to crack the pass-code, it self-destructs after the tenth failed attempt. "Mission Impossible". I've been using one for about two years. They work GREAT!
Read about it here.
http://www.ironkey.com/en-US/encrypted-storage-drives/250-personal.html
$109.00 at Amazon "prime"
2GB encrypted storage. Small. Weighs 25 grams. Goes on your key ring. Like a tiny personal computer. Can't be 'cracked'.
On-board Mozilla Firefox browser.
Plug into any computer with internet access. Leaves no trace that you were ever there. Just borrow somebody else's computer for a few minutes.
Been using one for years. Works great!
I stopped flying after my encounter with the TSA in Philidelphia 6 years ago. Traded my old Suburban for a Class c motor home on a Ford E350 chassis. The Airlines have gone to hell, the TSA ruins your flight before you get on the plane,and you end up getting sick from the infectious cabin air. Now I can see the country mile by mile instead of from 20,000 ft. I can also carry my preferred weapons without hassle, provided of course I know what state laws will get me. I stay out of DC, NY, CT, Ca, and within the US.
If you needed to survive & function in a strange city for 24 hours, what would you need? Make that list and plan on carrying the listed items as carry on (like a bug out bag) every time you travel.
My laptop is ALWAYS carry-on when travelling via air. Get a new computer. There's no way you can trust that one now. Don't trust windows if you can help it and use full disk encryption via TrueCrypt with whatever you use next. With thje system you have now, you should use a Linux live boot CD to do any basic tasks. Once you get everything you need backed up for a news system, do a DoD format on the hard drive.
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