Information security: why you need to be careful in the airport

Filed in archive Protection on June 3, 2007

Ever felt strange that someone might be looking over your shoulder at the airport while you are busy doing emails or something else on your computer? Yes, your security issues are not solved by having a firewall; that is just one level of information security.

People simply looking over your shoulder could be far more serious a leak of business secrets and business confidentiality. Gonzo's Garage has written an extensive post about security and exposing one's data to potential onlookers:

I was again reminded of just how complacent folks are about their security when it comes to using computers and other information technology enabled devices when on travel. This seemed to be especially true when using computers in public places - either their own laptops, or computers in hotel business centers. I am not sure if people are just in a hurry, or if they just really are not aware of the potentials for exposing themselves (in a "data" sort of sense, that is) while out and about.

See gonzo's idea of "shoulder surfing"; what an apt name for unwanted onlooker attention!