Tips for Enhanced Cell Phone Security when Crossing Borders

Securing Your Cell Phone during Border Crossings
Rumors suggest increased scrutiny of electronic devices at borders in the United States. While I possess knowledge on safeguarding computers, my expertise on protecting phones is limited.

Securing Your Cell Phone during Border Crossings

Rumors suggest increased scrutiny of electronic devices at borders in the United States. While I possess knowledge on safeguarding computers, my expertise on protecting phones is limited.

Are there simple methods to erase data—such as files and images—on phones to prevent recovery? Does performing a factory reset on a phone completely eliminate the data, or is it still retrievable? Specifically, does the reset remove the previous encryption key, or merely deactivate the password associated with it? After rebooting the phone, can deleted files still be accessed?

We require solutions for both iPhones and Android devices. It’s imperative to acknowledge that challenges to state authority are becoming riskier worldwide.

Related topics: borders, cell phones, operational security

Featured image of Bruce Schneier taken by Joe MacInnis.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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