[shittyanalogy]

Someone should invent a usb dongle that detects a nearby rfid chip that you keep on your keychain. As soon as that keychain is out of range, say 5 feet, the computer locks and encrypts itself. Integrate this into the computer and you wouldn't be able to tell who has one and who doesn't. Think you're being arrested with your computer open? Toss your keys.

[joezydeco]

You could be grabbed by agents and held there in your chair while another agent starts working on your files.

My idea would be more of a proximity sensor that not only does the RFID-walkaway thing, but also locks the machine up if anyone additional to yourself approaches the device.

[saganus]

Toss your keys.

But then the LEO agent sees this, and not only does he pick up the keys, he will then proceed to charge you with something for resisting arrest, or obstruction of justice or any of the myriad of ways they have to make your life a living hell.

I think this would be similar to smoking pot in a moving car, then getting a police car to tell you to stop and then you throw the drugs out the window. I believe that's enough of a reason to charge you with all sorts of nasty stuff.

[Pinatubo]

Considering the alternative, I'd toss my keys.

[MichaelGG]

Yeah but when you "throw the drugs out the window" they don't disappear.

[saganus]

That's my point. If you have your laptop locked depending on whether they are close by or not, then throwing the key away will not help you.

I was trying to say that it seems to me as an ineffective method. Just as ineffective as trying to argue with the police that since you don't have the drugs on you (because you just tossed them) you are not in trouble. The drugs don't disappear just as the keys won't, so the agents would just have to get the keys and unlock your laptop.

[chongli]

It'd be easier to just have the machine lock itself and power down whenever anyone plugged in an unknown HID device. The FBI (and other agencies) use USB mouse jigglers to keep the screensaver from activating while they transport the machine back to their lab.

[knodi123]

that's called "security through obscurity". and sometimes it works great! Well, the first time.

Of course, just like the shoe bomber changed airport security forever, an rfid keyfob like you suggested becoming commonplace, would just lead to the cops immediately tazing and tackling you, and treating every single motion of your arms as an attempt to destroy evidence.

[Pinatubo]

Tazing or tackling would probably take him out of RFID range.