Remember that warning U.S. security agencies gave government officials and businesses? It appears that warning may be publicly extended to any and all travelers to Beijing. The danger to personal and sensitive data is hard to overstate in a country with such a long history of electronic espionage, but a public warning could damage political and business relationships with the economic powerhouse.

Copying data from unattended cell phones and laptops is just part of the problem. Data can also be “slurpped” over Bluetooth connections, Wi-Fi connections can be intercepted, and spyware can be installed. One security expert turned on a new Treo smart phone upon landing in Beijing, by the time he hit the hotel a handful of malicious applications had been installed on his phone.

To be safe if you’re traveling to China for the Olympics take the following precaution

• Use a disposable cell phone while in Beijing.
• Store all data on an encrypted USB flash drive, never let it leave your sight.
• Place anti-tamper stickers on screws and hard-drives.
• Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off unless absolutely necessary.
• Make sure anti-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware are installed and up to date.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]