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I recall a story from long ago: user is requested to boot their laptop by airline security. They boot, which drops to a linux (bsd?) command line. Agent is no
by ergothus 8y ago
I recall a story from long ago: user is requested to boot their laptop by airline security.
They boot, which drops to a linux (bsd?) command line. Agent is not pleased. User sets PS1 so the prompt now looks like DOS. Agent is satisfied (they may just have been satisfied that the device worked, but this story dates from when a DOS prompt was a believable thing for someone to recognize as "computer" )
- nil_pointer 8y agoThis story doesn't sound beleivable. As soon as the agent starts attempting commands, they'd see it's not DOS.
- sjwright 8y agoBut they saw it was a working computer. Airline security don't care what operating system your computer runs, they care if the laptop has been hollowed out and filled with C4.
- ams6110 8y agoOf course these days you could have a Raspberry Pi in a corner of the laptop case and the rest of it filled with whatever contraband, and still present a "working" computer to the security screener.
- marcosdumay 8y agoNowadays your laptop would go through an X-ray machine with improved explosives detection.
- coldacid 8y agoYep. I've never had to demonstrate that my devices are real at the security checkpoints getting into airports, I just put them in the trays and the X-ray scanners tell the agents that they're safe. Now, dealing with the customs/pre-clearance checkpoints, that's another matter.
- sjwright 8y agoNobody would seriously claim that airport security is an effective way of stopping determined people. It is a deterrent that works to catch thoroughly stupid people and to make smart people dwell on the anxiety of getting caught.