Tips for protecting your laptop security

Laptops have taken over the computer market. Whether it is a work-issued notebook, a personal laptop, or a laptop for school, more and more people are leaving their clunker desktops behind them and moving on to these smaller and more sophisticated devices.

Along with a notebook's convenience and portability also comes more security risks. It is much easier to steal a laptop when people are bringing them from public place to public place than trying to break into a private home or office and remove a large, heavy desktop computer. Coffee houses, airport security checkpoints, and hotels are only a couple examples of "hot-spot" laptop theft areas.

Also, like any computer a person might have, your laptop can potentially contain a lot of personal information about you. Especially if your computer is a personal notebook, a thief might be able access enough information to steal your identity.

All of this is not meant to discourage you from taking advantage of the handy portable amenities that a laptop has to offer; only to encourage you to take the necessary precautions when carting your computer around with you everywhere.

Solutions

Here are some safety measures to follow when traveling with your laptop:

Keep your computer locked when you are in a public place. This means locking it to the table when you are at a coffee shop or to your desk at work (should you work in a semi-public environment). Using a security cable will allow you more freedom to move about the room, leave the room, and still know that your computer will be there when you return.
Don't leave your computer in the car; take it with you! Even though your laptop may be out of view by putting it under the seat or in the trunk, thieves are know to target parked cars in search of unattended laptops. If your computer is valuable to you, take it with you. If you absolutely can't take your laptop with you, it is safer to lock it in your trunk than to leave it under the seat (i.e. it's easier to break a window than it is to break open a trunk).
When going through airport security make sure you always keep an eye on your laptop. The idea is actually a little nerve-racking because putting your computer on the security belt potentially makes it fair game to all of those who are in the near vicinity. If you look away, even for a minute, your computer could be swiped. Don't put your computer down until you reach the metal detector and then make sure to watch for it once it comes out of the security screening.
It is easy to feel like your belongings are safe when they are in a hotel room, but realistically the room is still a public place. Other people besides you have access to this room. Take your laptop with you. If this is a huge inconvenience to you, then put your laptop in the room safe. Placing a security cable on your computer in this situation might not be enough to stop a thief.
Don't leave your passwords anywhere near your computer. Seriously, you would be surprised how many people have little post-it notes with their passwords stuck to their computer or have non-password protected spreadsheets of passwords on their computer. If your laptop were to be stolen then you are virtually ensuring that you will be a victim of identity theft by making your passwords so easily accessed.
Don't put your computer on the floor. This is a very tempting habit when at check-in counters or when sitting at a conference. When you put your laptop on the floor, you are placing it out of view and therefore opening it up to a potential theft. If you don't think you can break this habit, at least place your laptop between your feet to make sure you are always aware of it.

If your laptop has been stolen, report it to your local authorities right away. If it was a business computer make sure to also inform your employer of the theft. If you are worried about identity theft, visit the FTC's identity theft page online for instructions on what measures to take.

For more laptop security suggestions and tips visit www.onguardonline.com.

Rate this article

Questions about this topic? Ask them on our Contact Us page.

Bookmark this page