Originally Posted by
Swissaire
Travelling with a copy of your passport, tickets, identification, and other important documents as a back-up to theft or loss of the originals is important. We have done this for years, and it is a very good suggestion.
Having that information on a piece of paper hidden in your wallet or purse, is one idea.
Having this information scanned on your computer or MAC, available by email, makes that information available to you, and anyone who hacks your computer. That is very easy to do these days, especially when one travels. If you take a scan of your important documents, then print it, and get if off your computer ASAP, followed by a program that sanitizes any remains. Don't put it on a camera, which can also be stolen. What a goldmine to find.
How many here have found airport WIFI and hotel internet unsecured ? Hotel faxes are also not secured. Having this information at home in a locked drawer or safe, is far better than on your computer. Hacking into your valuable personal information today is easier than a second swipe of your credit card for fraud and theft.
Back-up on a slip of paper, but not on anything internet accessible. Too easy for the identity thieves to access, steal, and use.
If you are really concerned about that, you can always encrypt the file, load it to an encrypted location (dropbox for example is 256-bit AES and I understand they are beta testing 2 factor authentication). As someone else noted, one has lots of info in the cloud so avoidance is an impossible strategy. Given the risks, one has to develop a strategy for data security. If you have that, then the minimal compromise risks are outweighed by the benefits of cloud access. Heck, my GE pass has RFID on it and has a lot of accessible data if I don't shield it. That's not going to keep me from having it and being able to get through immigration quicker (b4 it is pointed out, I know, once you are in the program you don't need the card with you - just the passport).