The best way to secure a laptop while traveling is to protect two things separately: the hardware, so it is hard to steal or damage, and the data, so a stolen machine is useless to whoever takes it. Keep the laptop on your body or in your sight, encrypt the drive, turn on automatic updates, and treat every public network as untrusted. The sections below explain each step and where it matters most.
For remote workers, the laptop is the office, the payroll connection and the client archive in one device. Losing it costs more than the hardware.
TL;DR
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Turn on full disk encryption (BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on macOS) and shut the laptop down fully, not just to sleep, before it goes into a bag or hotel safe.
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Keep the laptop in your carry-on, remove it for X-ray screening unless you have TSA PreCheck, and never leave it in a parked car.
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Enable automatic updates, use a phone hotspot for sensitive work, and confirm the exact name of any public Wi-Fi network.
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Carry a minimal amount of data, keep backups elsewhere, and know what to expect if a border officer asks to inspect your device.
Start with the data, not the bag
Most travel advice starts with a padded sleeve. A better starting point is the question: what happens if this laptop disappears tomorrow? NIST notes that portable devices, unlike office desktops, are regularly exposed to hostile environments, so protection has to move from the network perimeter to the data itself. In practice that means encryption, strong sign-in and backups.
Encrypt the whole drive
Full disk encryption makes the contents unreadable to anyone who does not have your credentials. NIST SP 800-111 covers this approach, and the built-in tools are BitLocker on Windows and FileVault on macOS. Both take a few minutes to enable. Do it before you leave, and store the recovery key somewhere other than the laptop, such as a password manager.
Two habits make encryption work better:
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Shut down fully. Encryption protects data most reliably when the machine is powered off, not in sleep or standby. UK government guidance on portable devices advises a full shutdown before the device goes into luggage or a safe.
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Separate keys from the laptop. If you use a hardware security key or token, do not keep it in the same bag. A thief who takes the bag should not also get the means to unlock it.
Update automatically
CISA’s travel tip sheet stresses that attackers exploit known flaws in outdated software, and it recommends automatic updates as one of the most effective single measures. Run updates on home Wi-Fi before departure rather than on a hotel network, and keep your browser current too.
Carry less
If you are heading somewhere with higher risk, consider a travel-only profile or a second user account with just the files you need this trip. Keep the full archive in an encrypted cloud backup or on a drive left at home. Then a lost laptop is an inconvenience, not a breach.
Airports and screening
In the US, the TSA asks you to take laptops out of your bag and place them in a separate bin for X-ray screening. TSA PreCheck travelers do not need to remove them. Laptops are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags, but carry-on is the sensible choice: the TSA screens roughly 3.3 million carry-on bags a day, and a checked bag leaves your sight.
The moment of greatest risk is the end of the belt, when you are putting on shoes and collecting items. Practical habits:
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Place the laptop in the bin last and collect it first.
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Keep your phone, wallet and passport in your pockets or a small pouch before they go through, not loose in the tray.
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Watch the bin until it comes out of the scanner.
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On the plane, keep the laptop in the bag under the seat in front of you, not in the overhead bin, so it stays within reach.
Hotels, cafes and coworking spaces
Theft in these places is mostly opportunistic, so the goal is to look like a harder target than the next table.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cafe | Sit with your back to a wall. Take the laptop with you, even for a short break. |
| Coworking space | Use a lockable locker or a cable lock on the laptop’s security slot, if it has one. |
| Hotel room | Shut the laptop down fully and use the in-room safe, or leave it in locked luggage. Do not leave it open on the desk. |
| Rental car | Do not leave it behind. If you must, store it out of sight in the trunk, not under a seat, and only for a short time. |
| Shared hostel dorm | Keep it in a locked locker or sleep with the bag. |
A bag that does not advertise a laptop helps. A plain backpack draws less attention than a branded laptop case. A privacy screen filter also stops people in a cafe from reading what you type.
Because nomads often carry expensive gear across borders and between countries, it is worth checking whether your coverage includes electronics. Our comparison of digital nomad insurance plans is a good place to see how policies differ.
Public Wi-Fi: how much risk is left?
The risk has changed. The FTC points out that most websites now use HTTPS, so data between your browser and a site is generally encrypted even on an open network. The bigger remaining danger is landing on a fake website that looks real and is built to capture your login.
CISA still advises caution. Its public Wi-Fi tip card covers airports, cafes, libraries and hotels, and its travel guidance recommends using a personal hotspot or mobile data for banking and sensitive work. If you do use public Wi-Fi:
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Ask staff for the exact network name and login steps. Attackers set up lookalike “evil twin” networks with near-identical names.
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Check for HTTPS before you enter any password, and type addresses yourself instead of following links.
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Turn on multi-factor authentication for email, banking and work accounts, so a stolen password alone is not enough.
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Use a VPN if your employer requires one, and disable automatic connection to known networks.
For remote workers, the practical rule is simple: client work and payroll accounts go through your phone hotspot, and casual browsing can use the cafe network.
Border crossings and device searches
All travelers entering the US are subject to inspection, and CBP states that officers may search phones and computers. The agency also reports that fewer than 0.01 percent of arriving international travelers had their devices searched in fiscal year 2025. A search is rare, but a nomad who crosses many borders should still plan for one.
What you can do in advance:
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Carry only the data you need, and keep sensitive client files in a backup you can access later rather than on the laptop.
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Know your employer’s policy on confidential material, and ask before travel if you handle regulated data.
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Power the laptop down fully before you reach the checkpoint, so disk encryption is active.
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Read the CBP page for the current rules on what officers may request. Rights and rules differ by country, so check the destination’s official guidance before each trip.
If you are unsure about your legal position, for example because you hold sensitive client data or an unusual visa status, speak to an immigration attorney before you travel. Our guide on the legal requirements for working remotely for a US company abroad is a starting point for the work-authorization side.
A pre-trip checklist
Run through this the week before you leave:
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Back up the laptop to an encrypted external drive or cloud account.
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Enable BitLocker or FileVault and save the recovery key off the device.
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Install all operating system and browser updates.
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Set a strong password or passphrase and turn on a password manager with multi-factor authentication.
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Enable “find my device” tracking and remote wipe.
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Write down the serial number and keep a photo of it with your documents, for police and insurance reports.
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Pack a lock cable, a privacy filter and a charger you do not mind replacing.
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Decide where the laptop sleeps each night: safe, locker or your own bag.
For tools that support this routine, such as password managers and backup services, see our remote work tools directory. For everyday routines on the road, the digital nomad lifestyle guide covers staying productive in different places.
FAQ
Can you travel with a laptop in your suitcase?
Yes. The TSA permits laptops in both carry-on and checked bags. Carry-on is the better choice because you keep it in sight and can protect it from rough handling and theft. If a laptop must go in checked luggage, shut it down fully and encrypt the drive.
How do I keep my laptop safe at the airport?
Remove it for screening unless you have TSA PreCheck, place it in the bin last, and watch it until you collect it. Keep your other valuables in a pouch rather than loose in the tray. Afterward, repack away from the belt.
Do laptops have built-in security?
Modern laptops include tools such as BitLocker on Windows and FileVault on macOS, plus tracking and remote-wipe features. They are not always turned on by default, so check your settings before you travel. Built-in tools protect data best when paired with updates and strong sign-in.
Is public Wi-Fi still dangerous?
Less than it used to be, because most sites use HTTPS. Fake networks and counterfeit websites remain real risks, so confirm the network name with staff and use a hotspot for sensitive work.