KI 1755 Traveling with UiB PC

This advice is intended to help all UiB employees and students to maintain of information security when traveling, so that electronic devices or information are not stolen or misused.

Before traveling

The danger of unwanted events involving digital devices or services is greater on travel than when you are at home.

If you are traveling with a gropup: Contact the person responsible for the journey and find out what information is available about the trip and what precautions you should take.

Please be aware that some foreign authorities can seize equipment. You should think about how to handle an event where you cannot use your devices or online tools as planned.

Please consider the value of the information you bring with you and encrypt confidential information. Never bring sensitive information.

Remember to:

Encrypt hard drives and other storage media that you bring.
Make sure you have installed the latest updates for your devices, operating system, anti-virus software, and other software installed.
Ensure that the device locks automatically when inactive (screen lock) and that password or code verification works when you re-open the device.
Make sure to bring your own charging and power supplies. Do not rely on public charging services for mobile devices.
Use secure passwords. Consider changing your passwords before traveling to ensure that you have control over the logins you need on your trip.
Use multi-factor authentication wherever you can.

During the trip

Turn off wireless and bluetooth connections on all the devices you bring. Consider the need to turn these on in each case. Please note that such connections may cause unwanted access to your devices. Remember to turn them off after use.
Do not use open and unknown wireless networks. By using them, it is easy for unauthorized persons to access your devices and thereby steal information or install malware. Check if the person you are visiting can give you access to secure networks that you can use.
Use mobile data networks (3G/4G/5G) wherever you can, as this is usually safer. (But such networks can also be fake).
When connecting to UiB services, always use an encrypted connection (VPN). The need for such connection must be considered in each case. When traveling to risk countries, use UiB services as little as possible. Please see KI 1754 Traveling to high-risk countries for more information.)
When receiving electronic gift items (such as memory sticks), avoid connecting these to your devices. Such devices can often be the source of unwanted software.

After the trip

Consider changing passwords on any services you have used during your trip. Remember to use a different device to change passwords than the one you brought with you on the journey.

If your electronic devices work differently than expected or you suspect that they have benn compromised in any way, please contact the IT division and ask for help to find out if this is the case or request reinstallation.