Laptop Security Device - 10 Tips To Protect Your Laptop And Data

Here are 10 tips to prevent your laptop from theft as well as an explanation of laptop security devices that ensure your laptop and data are protected. The main attraction of laptops is their portability and mobility. It is great to be able to take your computer with you and use it anywhere. But with these benefits comes a risk of theft. Obviously theft is more likely to happen when an object can be picked up and carried away. Laptop security devices are important to prevent your laptop from being stolen as well as to prevent the data from your laptop being retrieved and used in the event that your laptop is a victim of theft.



10 TIPS TO PREVENT LAPTOP THEFT



1. NEVER leave your laptop or any valuables in plain sight in your car. Recently there has been an increase in car burglaries stemming from valuables being left in plain sight. Lock them in the trunk.



2. Don't use computer bags, while these maybe fashionable and comfortable they make it obvious that you are carrying a laptop. Try using a padded briefcase or suitcase instead.



3. Make sure your laptop is always with you. Do not check laptops in with your luggage while traveling. Never leave your laptop in your car in plain sight or any valuable objects for that matter. There has been a recent increase of car burglaries stemming from people leaving valuables in plain sight. Lock all valuables in the trunk.



4. Another great laptop security measure is to never leave access numbers or passwords in your carrying case. Keeping your password with your laptop is like keeping the keys in the car. Without your password or important access numbers it will be more difficult for a thief to access your personal and corporate information.



5. Keep your eye on your laptop. When you go through airport security don't lose sight of your bag while it's going through the scan or hold your bag until the person in front of you has gone through the metal detector. Many bags look alike and yours can easily be lost in the shuffle.



6. Avoid setting your laptop on the floor or the seat next to you. If you must set ti down make sure you are always aware of it by setting down against your leg or arm. Putting your laptop on the floor is an easy way to forget or lose track of it.



7. Use a screen guard when in public. This prevents people from looking over your shoulder and seeing sensitive information. This is especially helpful when you're traveling or need to work in a crowded area.



8. Do not leave your laptop unsecured in your hotel room. Things sometimes tend to get lost in hotel rooms and are never secure. If you must leave your laptop in the room then use a security cable to attach it to a stable object, such as the desk or bedpost. Another good thing to do is leave the "do not disturb" sign on the door.



9. Labeling everything possible related to your laptop is an effective security measure. Label everything with the name of the individual that owns it, and ensure that these labels are conspicuous. The potential theft value of laptops is reduced greatly when additional work is required to remove the identifying marks. Conspicuous identity labels also significantly increase the risk of a potential thief being caught in the act of theft.



10. Buy a laptop security device. The next section details some options for laptop security devices.



LAPTOP SECURITY DEVICE:



Laptop Cable:



One of the most inexpensive and effective laptop security devices is a laptop cable. Very much like a bicycle lock, this cable attaches to your laptop and allows you to lock it to a stationary object. The cable makes it much more difficult for someone to steal your laptop.



Laptop Tracing Programs:



These programs will report the location of a stolen laptop. They work when the laptop connects to the Internet, and can report the laptop's exact physical location.



Motion Sensors and Alarms:



Unexpected loud noises make people wake up and take notice, something that aspiring thieves find very discouraging. Laptop security devices exist which use alarms as a form of protection.



While the signal mechanism of an alarm system is usually the same, the triggers are different. The idea is that if the user moves out of range of the device, or the laptop is moved out of range of the user, the alarm will sound. Thus, if someone tries to steal or remove the laptop, the alarm will sound, drawing attention to the theft. Another option is to is to buy an alarm that relies on nothing more than movement of the object that it is attached to. If the object that the sensor is attached to is moved, an alarm will sound. Entering the 3-digit security code will reset or disable the alarm once the device has been recovered.



LAPTOP SECURITY DEVICES THAT PREVENT DATA ACCESS:



Security measures available in order to prevent access to data on your laptop in the event that it is taken.



Set a Login Password:



Set a login name/password that way in order to successfully login in to a laptop the user must provide that information. If the login entered is incorrect, the operating system will refuse to allow entry.



Set a BIOS password: Most laptops offer protection by allowing the owner to set a boot password. Typically most will prompt the user three times to enter a password, then refuse to boot if there are three failures.



Encryption:



One of the best laptop security devices are file encryption programs, which, encrypt files on your laptop. A private unlock key is provided to the owner, and as long as your private key is kept safe, no one but you and your intended recipients will be able to view your data.



Biometric Fingerprint Readers: Another great laptop security device is the Biometric Reader. This type of laptop security device would provide authentication at the hardware level which would require authentication before the machine would even boot up. The idea behind biometrics is to use the uniqueness of certain features of a user, such as retinal pattern, fingerprints, and even typing characteristics, to accurately identify and authorize persons.

How To Protect Your Laptop Against Theft & Loss

Laptop theft is rampant. You have a 1 in 10 chance

your shiny new laptop will be stolen. And the real

shocker: according to the FBI 97% are never recovered.



And they should know, the U.S. Department of Justice

stated in a recent report that the FBI lost 160 laptops

in a 44 month period ending in September of 2005. If

FBI agents have trouble keeping track of their laptops,

imagine what the ordinary person is facing.



The statistics are pretty grim. A laptop is stolen every

53 seconds. Ouch!



With stats like those you have to do everything in your

power to avoid becoming a victim of laptop theft. If you

keep valuable personal or business information on your

laptop the consequences can be even more gruesome and

devastating. For laptop hardware can be easily replaced,

but your valuable information may be lost forever.



So here are...



10 Practical Ways to Protect Your Laptop Against Theft,

Loss or Misplacement.



1. Keep Your Eyes On Your Laptop



Be aware of your laptop at all times especially when

traveling. You wouldn't leave a Thousand Dollar Bill

lying around unattended would you? So watch your laptop

closely.



2. Don't Use An Obvious Laptop Bag



Carry your laptop in regular luggage that doesn't look

like it has a laptop. Don't advertise your laptop to any

would be thieves.



3. Use Visual Locks And Restraints



Use visual locks and restraints to secure your laptop and

to act as a deterrent. It won't fool hardened thieves but

most will opt for a less secure laptop. For example, you

can use a product like STOP, this system works by attaching

a specially-made security plate to your laptop. This plate

is barcoded and registered. It also carries a warning label

letting would-be cyber thieves know that the ownership of your

laptop is permanently monitored.



4. Use Passwords And Encryption



Use passwords and encryption to protect any sensitive

information on your laptop. Again, unless you use very

sophisticated encryption it won't fool the experienced

hacker or hard-core digital thief but it will slow down

and hinder the common criminal.



Set a BIOS Password for your laptop. You have to take

advantage of any security option that's on your laptop's

OS or operating system. For those using Mac OS X you can

encrypt your entire hard drive and set-up a master password

in order to view it.



Windows XP & Vista lets you encrypt files and folders. Just

right click your data, select properties, open general tab

and then advanced to check "Encrypt contents to secure data

box".



5. Use Encryption Programs Like Steganos Safe 2007



You can also try something like Steganos Safe 2007. Vital

files can be encrypted and it can even turn your USB thumb

drive or iPod into a key for unlocking your hard drive.



6. Use Anti-Theft Software Like LoJack



Use anti-theft software that can track and locate your

laptop or computer through the IP address once the stolen

laptop is used to access the Internet. Use systems like

"LoJack For Laptops". It costs around 50 bucks a year

but it may be worth that price for your peace of mind alone.



According to the info on their site they recover 3 out of 4

stolen laptops equipped with the LoJack system. It basically

places hidden and silent software that reports back the IP

address and location of the laptop once it is stolen and the

thief connects to the Internet.



7. Use Invisible Ultraviolet Markings



Use invisible ultra-violet markings so that any recovered

stolen laptops will be clearly marked as yours to the police.

Keeping track of your laptop's serial number is also a good

idea and have this number stored in a different place other

than on your laptop.



8. Try Remote Data Deletion



If you place important information on your laptop have a

remotely controlled self-destruct solution in place. Then

your highly sensitive information can be deleted remotely

after your laptop is stolen.



9. Be Prepared



Create company policies for management of your company's laptops.

Have set procedures in place for tracking and reporting of any

laptops stolen or misplaced. Be prepared for the inevitable.



10. Backup Backup Backup



Regularly backup any vital information you have on your laptop.

Most information will be useless to potential thieves but may

be extremely important to you personally or for the running of

your business.



No matter if it is through theft or simple misplacement, losing

a laptop is a painful experience, one you should avoid at all

costs. However, if it does happen to you, be assured you can

minimize the pain by having a complete backup of your laptop's

contents. In most cases, this information will be much more

valuable than the laptop itself.



For hardware can be easily replaced, your personal data and

months/years of work may take forever to recover or redo.

Sometimes it is lost forever, so BACKUP your information

regularly. Keep your laptop and its contents safe and out

of harm's way. Simply protect yourself and your laptop by

using the tips you have just read.