Laptop Security Tips

Theft of laptops is all too common nowadays, and laptop owners sometimes make it easier on the thieves by not taking the basic precautionary measures to keep their equipment and data secured at all times.

The ease of travel that a laptop affords any user allows us to take for granted just how sensitive what we are carrying at school, in our cars or the airports, really is. We never realize this lesson until the data we have stored on our laptops turns up missing.

As the holidays approach and we find ourselves traveling more or working out of our home or on the road instead of the office, make sure to take extra care with your computers with some or all of these laptop security tips.

Tie it Up

This is so basic, and, yet, most people don't even think about taking this precautionary measure. Many companies sell security cables. Most of the newer laptops come with a universal security slot to which a cable lock or alarm may be attached. The cost of these devices can range from $30 to $50. Essentially, if you are leaving your computer in a hotel room, you have the ability to keep it locked up to something so that it remains stationary. At the same time, if you are staying in a hotel room, don't think that just because you have a security cable, you should leave your laptop sitting on a hotel desk in plain view. Always make sure you keep it hidden.

Give It A Name

No. This doesn't mean you need to give it a personal name and write it in glitter on the outside of your laptop. Instead, if you have a business card, use it! Attach it to your laptop bag and your laptop, so that if your computer ends up missing and gets into the hands of a responsible person, he or she knows just who to contact. You can even take it a step further by having your laptop permanently marked or engraved. You may also want to look into tamper-proof metal tags. All have the same function as the basic business card. It is just a matter of how far you want to go in marking your laptop (make sure to carefully consider the last two ideas especially if you end up donating the piece or selling it off to someone else a few years from now).

Register, Register, Register

You bought your laptop six months ago, and the registration form online that you promised yourself you would fill out later, is still being neglected. Most people find registration a nuisance and tell themselves it is something that can be held off, but registration, in some cases, allows your computer to be flagged. In the event the person who stole your laptop attempts to send it to the manufacturer for maintenance, they will be stopped. At the same time, writing down the serial number of your computer and storing it in a safe place is another important step that should be taken as soon as you bring the laptop home - right after you have registered with the manufacturer. While you're at it, it is also wise to create a logon password for your laptop - one more safety wall between your personal data and the thief.

Keep It Close

At airport checkpoints, everyone wants to get through those metal detectors as quickly as possible, and the thieves want you to be just as pre-occupied about getting yourself through. Most people forget that they need to keep a watchful eye on their property as it goes through the X-ray machines. Try putting your laptop down at the last possible minute before stepping through the metal detectors and always keep it in plain view of yourself.

Wi-Fi Wisdom

Most people already know this, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate the fact that using a virtual private network is important when you are using a wireless connection. Also, make sure your firewall software is updated and be extremely cautious when making credit card transactions or logging into bank or credit accounts.

Buy an External Hard Drive

More and more people are investing in external hard drives to back up their very important data - charts, financial information, work, family photos. It's easier to keep everything on something external and carry that around or reach for that in a rush, rather than lugging around a laptop - no matter how light it may be. An external hard drive should be viewed as back-up. In the event your laptop is stolen, you will at least have a hard drive with all of your necessary files that can be accessed via any other computer. And the costs have really come down on these hard drives, so it makes perfect sense to make the investment to keep yourself safe and covered.