Hardware Information

Laptop and Notebook Theft Prevention


Laptops or Notebook computers are an expensive personal and business asset that are highly sought after by both small time thieves and large complicated theft rings. Keeping your laptop and notebook computers safely in your possession should always be in the back of your mind. Not only are these extremely expensive, they can contain very private personal information or business secrets that can hurt you if the information was ever brought public, or worse yet, sold to a competitor!

Physical theft prevention should be your primary concern when you use laptops, and really most of the information is just common sense. Don't brag, or advertise that you have a laptop in your possession, try to carry your laptop in non-traditional laptop bags that make it obvious you have one. If you can fit it in your briefcase, or in a shoulder bag you are far better off from getting targeted.

Asset tag your electronics devices and peripherals with permanent markings or engravings, large markings that make your laptop unique make your device less attractive because it will become harder to sell.

Always be mindful of where your laptop is at. If you are using the washroom, or a payphone, don't leave it on a table, counter, this includes while you are at restaurants! If you are traveling in rental cars, try to get a car with a lockable trunk, that doesn't have access or a viewable trunk from the outside such as SUV's or hatchbacks. Don't leave items in plain sight that will entice people to steal from your car!

If you are staying in hotels, try to use locking cables to permanent metal settings to secure your laptop if you go out, or ask the hotel to lock it up in their safe if you won't be using it for an extended period of time.

In the event that your laptop has been stolen there is many different organizations that offer products and services that might help in a quick recovery or tracking of the device. Some products install a "call home" feature if the laptop is ever reconnected to an internet connection, or having serialized components that make tracking and recovery easier. Additionally there is some really interesting products that have movement and proximity alarms installed. For instance, you wear a device on your belt, and if your laptop is more than a certain distance from you an alarm will sound loudly. This is used in hopes of stopping criminals who snatch and run with your device!

It's always a very good idea to install some sort of encryption software on your laptop, such as a PGP that will help keep your data private in the event it is stolen. It's always a good idea to plan for the worst and hope for the best!

Remember, physical security mainly consists of using common sense to protect any attractive item that you may own. Be discreet, be mindful of your devices and you should be relatively safe!

Ken Dennis
http://KenDennis-RSS.homeip.net


MORE RESOURCES:

TechGadgets.in

SanDisk's new USB drive secures data with 2x hardware encryption
CNET News, CA - 11 hours ago
Their newest Ultra Backup USB flash drive uses both password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption to reduce holes in vulnerability across the ...
SanDisk Launches World’s First Button Backup USB Flash Drive WELT ONLINE
SanDisk Keeps Its Thumb on Backup Tech PC Magazine
SanDisk's faster netbook flash Register
TG Daily - Geek.com
all 50 news articles


German digital hardware sales record
Hollywood Reporter, United States - 6 hours ago
Sales of flat-screen televisions, set-top decoders, game consoles and other digital hardware jumped 4.3% to a record 12.3 billion euros ($17 billion) last ...


Canada.com

Wii, PS3 See Hardware Sales Gains In Japan
Kotaku.com, NY - 9 hours ago
By Michael McWhertor , 1:40 PM on Wed Jan 7 2009, 833 views The holidays were very good to Nintendo in Japan, with hardware sales big enough to translate to ...
Japanese Game Market Contracts 15.3 Percent in 2008 EndSights
Nintendo Dominates Contracting Japanese Videogame Market 1UP.com
Enterbrain: Japan's games market drops 15 percent in 2008 Neoseeker
GamesIndustry.biz - Ars Technica
all 38 news articles


BBC News

The amazing vanishing Mac desktop machine
Macworld, CA - Jan 6, 2009
When I heard “the Mac,” the “cool new hardware” synapses in my brain took over all normal, rational thought, and my low expectations went right out the ...
Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
iLife Up to Date: when $3000 isn't enough Ars Technica
No surprises at Apple's final Macworld guardian.co.uk
New Zealand Herald - Computerworld
all 2,667 news articles


Hardware, specialty stores strive to keep salt stocked
The Reporter, WI - 20 hours ago
Braun Hardware, W2118 Fourth Street Road, is also hoping to replenish its shelves later this week, said co-owner Ingrid Braun. She said she's been selling ...
Ice Melters Sell Out WBAY
all 2 news articles


Ars Technica

OQO launches world's smallest Vista PC with OLED screen
Ars Technica, MA - 4 hours ago
There have been other OQO models since that first Model 01, at least one based on a VIA CPU, but hardware technology didn't really catch up with OQO's ...


Nude Art...in a Hardware Store?
KESQ, CA - Jan 6, 2009
The thing that's unusual about the display is that it's inside a hardware store. Steve Maloney is displaying the unclothed mannequins along with paintings ...
Artist Steve Maloney is showing his pop art pieces at True Value The Desert Sun
all 2 news articles


Genesco Upgrades POS Hardware with Fujitsu’s TeamPoS 3000 XL 2 System
Business Wire (press release), CA - 14 hours ago
“In addition, the TeamPoS 3000 XL 2 is one of the top POS hardware solutions on the market, offering superior speed, energy efficiency and ruggedness. ...


DailyTech

New Mac Mini Hardware to Be Supported by Revolutionary SeeFile Web ...
Reuters - Jan 5, 2009
SeeFile solves this problem by providing pre-installed bundles of hardware and software that can be installed as easily as any networked computer. ...
Apple has plans for iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro in 2009 PC Perspectives
Macworld.ars: Company may have spilled Mac mini beans Ars Technica
Mac mini Getting Dual Display Support - Rumor MacMod
Macworld - Computerworld
all 52 news articles


Trojans grab some new hardware
TheHerald, NC - 14 hours ago
... championship trophy, she probably didn't realize she was only thre years old the last time South's girls basketball team claimed any kind of hardware. ...

Hardware - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006