_PROPERLY SETTING UP YOUR EVERYDAY COMPUTER FOR TRAVEL takes time and preparation. You’ll need to create a secure backup of your device, customize your device for travel, and fall back to your safe backup when you are done traveling. These steps are necessary to keep your travel activity separate from your everyday activity on your computer.
STEP 1
Make a backup of your everyday computer. You’ll need it when you return.
Make an encrypted backup of your computer as it is now onto an external storage device (or dedicated partition on a storage device). Label this image as your “home image.”
STEP 2
Wipe and restore the operating system on your computer.
Once you have a complete an up-to-date backup of your everyday computer, you’re safe to delete all the data on your device by wiping and reinstalling its operating system. This step is simple on Mac and Windows. Linux users should follow wipe and restore options specific to their distribution (e.g., Ubuntu).
STEP 3
Install all the software you need, and tweak your computer for maximum security.
With a fresh installation of your computer’s operating system, you’re ready to configure it to host your travel needs. Keep your data secure while abroad by enabling full disk encryptionA process that encrypts all the data stored on the hard disk of a device while it powers down. This prevents someone without the decryption key from reading or tampering with your device's data.. Think about what you need to accomplish on your computer in transit. What tools will you need? Install the essentials before you leave for your trip.
STEP 4
With your travel environment configured, make a backup of your computer in this state.
At this stage, your computer is in a clean, travel-configured state. Back it up so that you have it handy for use during your next trip. Create a backup of the computer at this state on an external storage device (or another dedicated partition on the first hard drive). Label this image as your “travel image” (and keep this image for subsequent trips).
STEP 5
When you return, wipe and restore your operating system again, and restore from your “home image.”