How should one access their servers when in China if at all?

ComradeMiao@lemmy.world to Selfhosted@lemmy.world – 58 points –

Some people my server admin uncle included believe that bringing any device to China automatically compromises it even if you reinstall a new OS. Is this warranted as some random person?

Can I go to my public sites and/or VPN into my servers?

Edit: I go there all the time. Also, I can take these precautions but I can’t expect my family to take them. What about family members phones?

A lot of great replies, thank you! Would love the read more specifics so I can know exactly the threats and my actions

Also, this is not an anti-China post. My field is Chinese related. Just learning more about the hosting side :)

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If your device is out of your sight, then yeah, you should probably assume it's compromised.

Of course, that's hardly JUST China doing funky shit with your devices, but depending where you're calling home, odds are customs/immigration when you head home will try to do the exact same thing, too.

And the answer to everything is yes, always use a VPN if you don't trust the network and you should never trust the network.

VPNs are illegal in China.

Illegal but tolerated: just think to all the Chinese companies thriving on Facebook ads sales

They crack down on it only when they need to punish a specific target/person