Oh, the laptop; such a fine repository of data. So easy to transport, you take it everywhere. You probably have named it.
Your constitutional rights end at the border of any country. If someone decides to look into your computer, they can.
It’s worth noting that no one has privacy rights when crossing borders. Even if you’re a U.S. citizen entering the United States, your Constitutional rights do not apply at the border, and border agents reserve the right to copy all of the files off of your computer or phone if they choose to. This is also true in Canada, and in other countries around the world. If you plan on traveling with electronic devices, disk encryption is the only way you have a chance at protecting your data if border agents insist on searching you. In some situations it might be in your best interest to cooperate and unlock your device, but in others it might not. Without disk encryption, the choice is made for you: the border agents get all your data.
Encryption is the better strategy, and not just at border crossings. You really don't want your financial and other important data easily available. Some versions of Windoze include "bitlocker" encryption, but many don't. And really, do you want a Microsoft version of security? You might well do better with this.
For one thing, it's less vulnerable to the "evil maid" attacks that have been documented in the wild. But, if you're feeling good, you might want to check and see if your version incorporates Microsoft's "bitlocker". It's pretty easy to open, but probably better than nothing. Marginally, at least. By the way, the NSA does monitor transmissions from some of the TPMs (tamper-resistant-modules) that bitlocker relies upon.
Buy stock in tinfoil now.
