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Safe Computing When Traveling

This guide provides information and best practices for Davidson faculty, staff, and students and is focused on steps you can take to safeguard your devices, protect your personal information and keep Davidson College data safe while traveling.

Article updated April 26, 2025

Safe Computing When Traveling: A Guide for Davidson College Students, Faculty, and Staff

 Quick Links
Introduction
Before You Travel (Domestic or International)
During Your Trip (Domestic or International)
Additional Precautions for International Travel
Data Security Policy Reminder
Additional Resources

Introduction

This guide provides recommendations for protecting your devices, personal information, and Davidson College data while traveling. Whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, taking some simple precautions can help safeguard your information and devices.


Before You Travel (Domestic or International)

Plan and Prepare

Taking time to plan and prepare before your trip can prevent problems and aggravation:

  • Travel light with data and devices: Don't take personal or Davidson data or devices you won't need while traveling.
  • Use encrypted devices: When traveling with Davidson data, ensure your devices are encrypted. (All Davidson-issued laptops are encrypted when issued.) Davidson data classified as Confidential can’t be stored on a personal device, even if encrypted.
    • Consider an encrypted flash drive if you need removable storage. Consult T&I Security before traveling to discuss if this is appropriate for your needs.
  • Update your systems: Update all software and operating systems on your computer, mobile phone, tablets, etc., before traveling.
  • Backups: Make sure your device has been backed up before traveling.
  • Install security software: CrowdStrike and other security software is installed on Davidson issued devices. Ensure anti-virus/malware software is installed and up-to-date on personal devices and run a security scan on your devices before departure.
  • Install other applications. Install applications from authorized app stores or other certified sources before traveling. Avoid installing software including network helper applications when in other countries to reduce the risk of malware.

Secure Your Accounts

  • Enable multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication (Duo) is required for Davidson accounts; Duo may prompt you for additional verification when detecting you are in a new location.
    • We recommend strong multi-factor for personal accounts where supported. This is strongly recommended for your personal email service, banking services, and other sensitive accounts. SMS-based multi-factor is insecure and may not be accessible overseas. You can use the Duo app on your phone as a multi-factor authenticator for accounts that support mobile authenticator apps.
  • Use secure passwords: Set strong, unique passwords for accounts you'll need to access while traveling.
    • We recommend considering a password manager, such as 1Password or Bitwarden, to store your personal passwords, making it easier to set unique strong passwords for all sites. 
    • Be sure to set a unique, strong password for the password manager that you have never used for any other website or service, and enable multi-factor authentication for the password manager.
    • Consider changing key passwords (Davidson, password manager, banks, etc.) when you return to the U.S.

Secure Your Devices

  • Use passcodes and auto-lock: Set passcodes on all devices and configure them to auto-lock when not in use.
    • Biometric authentication is an excellent alternative to passcodes, but note that some travelers may desire to disable biometric authentication in favor of a long, strong passcode during border crossings.
  • Enable find-my-device: Turn on the find-my-device feature on your mobile devices.

Prepare for Connectivity

  • Use Secure Networks: Prevent your devices from automatically connecting to insecure networks and only connect to WiFi networks you trust. In general, and especially when traveling internationally, cellular networks (via your mobile phone’s hotspot feature) are more secure than unknown WiFi networks.
    • If visiting another educational institution, Davidson students, faculty, and staff should use eduroam WiFi access to connect to Davidson resources.
  • Set up VPN: Ensure you know how to connect to Davidson's VPN for a more secure connection.
    • VPN access is ordinarily available for faculty and staff only. Students may request access to VPN for academic or research purposes with the endorsement of a faculty member.
  • Arrange for cellular service: Make sure to plan how you will use your mobile phone while traveling to avoid large, unexpected roaming bills and so your phone works on arrival.
    • Major U.S. carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon usually offer add-on plans for a daily fee that allow you to use your mobile phone number and service on roaming partner networks overseas. Contact your carrier to discuss in advance of your travel.
    • SIM cards or e-SIMs in country can be helpful if a local phone number or more data service are needed. Some phones can support multiple SIMs and/or e-SIMs at once.

During Your Trip (Domestic or International)

Protect Your Physical Devices

  • Keep devices secure: Never leave your devices unattended in public. Make sure they are powered off or password locked when unattended.
  • Be cautious with public computers: Never enter or access sensitive Davidson or personal data when using a shared or public computer.
  • Avoid free charging stations: Always pack and use your own chargers and cords; malicious actors can exploit devices through public charging stations or cables.
  • Be wary of removable media: Do not accept removable media or free downloads unless you are absolutely sure the source is trustworthy.

Connect Securely

  • Use secure networks: Use Davidson’s VPN or cellular network for a more secure connection.
  • Look for HTTPS: When browsing the web, look for HTTPS at the beginning of the URL, which indicates the connection is encrypted.
    • This does not ensure a site is safe, but does provide more protection from eavesdropping when on legitimate encrypted sites.
  • Disable Wireless Protocols: Consider disabling WiFi and Bluetooth on your device when not in use.

Protect Your Information

  • Don't use personal accounts for Davidson data: Do not use personal, non-Davidson accounts to maintain or share sensitive Davidson data.
  • Be careful with social media: Be cautious about sharing location and other sensitive information on social media.
  • Report incidents promptly: Report to local authorities and Davidson T&I any incidents involving loss, theft, or breach of personally owned devices that store or handle sensitive Davidson data.

Additional Precautions for International Travel

When traveling internationally, follow all the general guidance above plus these additional precautions:

Note: If you are planning international travel in the coming weeks, please be aware that U.S. federal travel restrictions are evolving and could impact some international citizens' ability to re-enter the country. 

Data and Legal Compliance

  • Understand border security: Your devices may be searched or seized when you enter or travel in other countries. Many nations have laws that give border agents the authority to search or seize your devices. In some cases, materials deemed culturally inappropriate may be scrutinized or present concerns for border agents.
  • Know U.S. entry and re-entry procedures: When entering or returning to the United States, the federal government may detain you at the border to conduct a search or ask questions. The American Civil Liberties Union has published this helpful document regarding your rights at U.S. ports of entry. 
    • As that document explains, the most important considerations to keep in mind are to stay calm when interacting with federal officials, never flee from an immigration checkpoint, and to ensure that any information or documentation you provide is truthful and accurate.  
    • Your electronic devices may be searched. If you refuse access, you may have your devices seized or be denied entry. 
  • Be aware of export controls: Some research materials and data may be subject to export control regulations. If you conduct export controlled research, consult with the Office of Sponsored Programs at Davidson well in advance of your travel.
  • Understand encryption restrictions. Davidson devices using commercially available encryption technology like that used on our College-issued laptops are generally allowed to be exported (hand-carried) outside the U.S as long as they are returned to the U.S. within one year. (Non-commercially available encryption software can almost never be exported from the country without a license.) However, some countries have additional restrictions on the use of encryption technologies.
    • Although Davidson makes our VPN services available to faculty and staff and authorized students, VPN services are illegal in a number of countries, including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, Uganda, Turkey, Belarus and others. Use of such technologies may present a legal risk to the traveler.
    • Several countries nominally restrict travel into their country with an encrypted device including Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and the Sudan. While travelers may not be stopped and questioned, carrying a College-owned encrypted device across the border presents a risk to the traveler. 
    • If requesting a loaner device for travel, you may request an unencrypted device, but no Davidson data and especially no Confidential data should be stored on such a device.

Protect and Be Compliant with your and Davidson’s Data

  • Don't save sensitive information: As noted above, sensitive Davidson or personal information stored on laptops, phones, drives and other devices may be accessed without your permission or under duress at borders or by foreign officials. Allowing Davidson Confidential information to be accessed by unauthorized individuals may constitute a data breach. Restricted information should also not be taken out of the country by travelers. Additionally, travelers will want to protect their own personal information and research.
    • Davidson data classified as Confidential should never be stored on laptops, even college-issued encrypted devices.
    • Avoid saving sensitive personal information such as credit card numbers, passport information, or Social Security numbers on your device. 
    • If traveling to a high-risk location, clear your web browsing history and similar stored information. 
  • Consider loaner laptops: For work purposes, consider requesting a loaner laptop or other device specifically for international travel. Please place any loaner request with the T&I Support Center with as much lead time as possible before your trip. Please inform the Support Center if you wish the device to forego encryption software if your destination prohibits it.
  • Consider temporary phones: For high-risk locations, consider getting a temporary mobile phone for use on your trip.
  • Maintain physical control: While traveling in a high-risk location, do not leave devices unattended, even in a hotel room or safe.

Restricted Access to Davidson Resources

  • Check international access: Some cloud-based Davidson resources may not be available in certain international locations due to government regulations.
  • Verify authentication services: Services like multi-factor authentication may be blocked in some countries or regions subject to economic and trade sanctions.

Data Security Policy Reminder

Davidson College's Data Security Policy categorizes data into several classification levels:

  • Confidential Data: Protected by state or federal privacy or data security laws and may involve civil or criminal penalties if breached or disclosed inappropriately.
  • Restricted Data: Must be shared only with specific individuals who have a business need to access, and where breach or inadvertent disclosure would impact Davidson's reputation or violate educational privacy requirements (FERPA).
  • Internal Data: Information intended for use within Davidson College.
  • Public Data: Information that can be freely shared.

Important: Restricted and Confidential data, and preferably not Internal data, should not be on devices that are taken abroad. For more information, refer to Davidson's Data Security Policy.

Additional Resources

For more information or assistance, contact the Technology & Innovation department at Davidson College.

This document is based on best practices published by several colleges and universities, including notably the University of Michigan, and has been adapted for use at Davidson College.

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