I've never had anyone customs agent ask me to yet. I'll let you know when it happens.
As far as beating the code my file systems are encrypted with blowfish. No one has broken it yet. Custom's agents don't hire crypto geeks skillful enough to have cracked blowfish. Maybe the NSA has but I really doubt it.
An encrypted file system means that removing the hard drive doesn't give them anything. Every file on my laptop is encrypted but the kernel. some boot files, and the device drivers. That's it. The only access removing the hard drive is to destroy the data.
Don't be naive Chode, if Customs cannot get access to your laptop while you are there to ask questions they will just seize it & let you know if they ever get access & have questions or they will report it as suspect of containing terrorist plans/info or all of the above PLUS you get your smart little ass thrown in jail for "national security".
How proud of blowfish will you be after sitting in a 6X8 cell for a few days? ... or weeks?
1.5 hours that's it!!! they tear my car apart, strip search me etc. I have a history obviously that interests them so I know what to expect and don't have a problem with it. As long as they do their jobs and not take it too far I deserve it to a point. I once spent 5 hours with them and that was before I had any trouble in my history!!
I had. On the way to US, not Canada.
I had to boot up the laptop, input my password and let them roam.
I don't know what the consequences would have been if I objected. As far as I understand, with all the Homeland Security stuff going on, they can refuse entry to anyone they view as suspicious. I suppose if they don't have a warrant, you have the right to refuse search but with it, you will be sacrificing the chance for entry.