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Each day, almost 3,000 laptop computers are stolen. Many of these thefts could be prevented.
Here are some practical steps you can take to
prevent your portable notebook computer from becoming a police statistic.
 
• Lock your notebook in your office during off-hours.
• Whenever possible, take your laptop home with you so you always know where it is.
• Review and understand the laptop insurance coverage included in your business and
homeowners’ policies to ensure that you have coverage for theft.
• Keep only the most necessary proprietary information on the portable.
• Do not load passwords on the laptop, particularly those allowing remote and e-mail communication
with clients or the office.
• Never leave your laptop unattended in a public place, even for a moment!
• Consider installing a boot-up password, available on most portables, so only users with your
password can access the hard drive.
• Back up your files and store them in some place other than the laptop carrying case.
• Consider engraving the company name or some other identification on the laptop cover.
• Be especially cautious about installing any software from unknown sources— it may
contain a virus.
• Pay attention to where you use the portable. Be aware that someone behind or next to you
can see your computer screen. This is especially true on an airplane. |
When Traveling
• Carry your notebook in a strong, padded, nondescript bag. Do not use a carrying case that
advertises there’s a computer inside.
• Never leave a laptop in full view in your car, and never check the computer as luggage at airports.
Do not leave your laptop unattended.
• At airport checkpoints, be observant. Don’t place the laptop on a conveyor belt until you
are ready to walk through the checkpoint.
Laptop & Data Security Tools:
Several effective laptop and data security options are available to protect your
equipment from theft:
• IBM has announced new “secure”
notebooks that are equipped with
Asset ID, a radio-frequency-based
security and asset-tracking technology.
• Automatic online backups by Toshiba
prevent anyone from reading the data
your computer sends without your pass
phrase. Information is encrypted before
your PC transmits it.
• Track-it is a product that blasts a sonic alarm if you get more than 40 feet from
your laptop to alert you that it has been left behind.
• A software program, CompuTrace,
calls in with its location to a Central
Monitoring System. These calls are
made at regular intervals, providing the
electronic serial number, phone number
(from which it is calling) and other
traceable information.
• For some inexpensive ways of reducing laptop theft, try security cables, stands,
Anchor Pads and boxes that offer good protection. |
