Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

I'm a college student, and was studying in the middle east this past summer. This was the fourth time i've been there, and my passport is absolutely tatooed with stamps from various arab countries. The last three times i've returned to the States, i've had no problems getting in, ans haven't been subject to any kind of questioning etc...
However the last time a came back, a few weeks ago, i got grilled. I had to go to some room in the bottom floor of logan airport, and got all my luggage ripped apart, and was questioned for over an hour. at the end of my questioning the authorities said they needed to check out my laptop. they vanished with my computer for over an hour.

I'm not the paranoid type, and actually have no problem with being respectfully questioned after returning from months in the middle east. Unfortunately the current times call for such measures. My question is, could they have "bugged" my computer, or anything like that? i know very little about computers, and dont really even know what the aformentioned would mean, i'm just kind of curious.

For the record, i'm "American as apple pie" Mother of christian descent, father of jewish descent.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

From the technical standpoint, it certainly would be possible for them to install come kind of spyware that will report back to them periodically over the internet. It is also conceivable that they could put in some kind of hardware device to do so. However, I think that most likely they did neither. My guess is that they simply copied your hard drive, so that they could examine it for anything incriminating at their leisure.

If you're really worried about it, you could reformat. That would probably disable any spying software, but probably wouldn't affect a hardware "bug".

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

why did you give them permission?

I would back up any important data and reformat.

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

[ QUOTE ]
why did you give them permission?

I would back up any important data and reformat.

[/ QUOTE ]

If it's a customs inspection, they don't need permission.

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

they can look at your computer, but I don't think they have the right to go through your files.

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

Thanks for insight gentlemen.

[ QUOTE ]
why did you give them permission?

I would back up any important data and reformat.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd been awake for about 30 hours, and wanted to get out of there asap. additionally, sitting on a table in the room i was being questioned in were vaseline and rubber gloves. I didn't want to give them any excuse to use them. And i'm pretty sure customs is allowed to search anything they please, and i don't have any kiddie porn, or the like on my computer. None the less, i may look into this reformatting business.

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

Why do you hate freedom?

oh, and you're responsible for all the wars of the world.

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you hate freedom?

oh, and you're responsible for all the wars of the world.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh my god. Are you a CTH gimmick account?!

Please, if people copy this trend in the future, at least try to be funny.
-Sam

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Why do you hate freedom?

oh, and you're responsible for all the wars of the world.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh my god. Are you a CTH gimmick account?!

Please, if people copy this trend in the future, at least try to be funny.
-Sam

[/ QUOTE ]

When I saw that I was tempted to make a "Zero Wing" acct and say "All your <Freedom? Passport? Laptop? Orifice?> are belong to us", but fortunately had a moment of clarity. (and no, I'm not the mel gimmick creator)

Re: Bizarro, \"Black Helicopters\" type question
 

Next time encrypt your whole hard drive and see what happens.

After all , you are a student. Think of it as a thought experiment. Doing experiment, whatever.

Best case you could sue and get some money. If you are able to travel overseas you probably have access to the courts, eg, able to afford a lawyer or get one pro bono from some rights group.