Keep Your Laptop Safe
Keeping Laptops from Getting Lost or Stolen
A laptop computer defines convenience and mobility. It enables you to work from home, a hotel room, a conference hall, or a coffee shop.
Maybe you’ve taken steps to secure the data on your laptop: You’ve installed a firewall. You update your antivirus software. You protect your information with a strong password. You encrypt your data, and you’re too smart to fall for those emails that ask for your personal information. But what about the laptop itself?
A minor distraction is all it takes for your laptop to vanish. If it does, you may lose more than an expensive piece of hardware. The fact is, if your data protections aren’t up to par, that sensitive and valuable information in your laptop may be a magnet for an identity thief.
Chances are you’ve heard stories about stolen laptops on the news or from friends and colleagues. No one thinks their laptop will be stolen—at least not until they find the trunk of their car broken into, notice that their laptop isn’t waiting at the other side of airport security, or get a refill at the local java joint only to turn around and find their laptop gone.
NCSA suggests keeping these tips in mind when you take your laptop out and about:
Treat your laptop like cash. If you had a wad of money sitting out in a public place, would you turn your back on it—even for just a minute? Would you put it in checked luggage or leave it on the back seat of your car? Of course not! Keep a careful eye on your laptop just as you would a pile of cash.
Keep it locked. Whether you’re using your laptop in the office, a hotel, or other public place, a security device can make it more difficult for someone to steal it. Use a laptop security cable: attach it to something immovable or to a heavy piece of furniture that’s difficult to move, such as a table or a desk.
Keep it off the floor. No matter where you are in public—at a conference, a coffee shop, or a registration desk—avoid putting your laptop on the floor. If you must put it down, place it between your feet or at least up against your leg, so that you’re aware of it.
Use a non-descript carrying case. Use a form fitting sleeve to protect the laptop and carry it in your briefcase, backpack or tote. If using something with a zipper, consider adding a small lock to the zipper to keep hands from easily reaching in to the bag.
Keep your passwords elsewhere. Remembering strong passwords or access numbers can be difficult. However, leaving either in a laptop carrying case or on your laptop is like leaving the keys in your car. There’s no reason to make it easy for a thief to get to your personal or corporate information.
Password protect your system. Use startup passwords to prevent thieves from easily accessing your data. Make sure to choose a strong password that would not be easy to guess. Drawing a blank on what to use? Consider a favorite saying or line from a song and use the first letter of each word. Adding capital letters and/or numbers will help to strengthen the password even more.
Backup important data before traveling. No one wants to think about losing their data, but a few minutes spent backing up your files will protect you later.
Write it down. Make note of your laptop’s serial number and keep it in a safe place. This will help the police to return it to you should it be recovered.
Mark it. Engrave your name and phone number on the laptop case or affix a permanent asset tag. These permanent forms of identification will help police to return the laptop to you if found and will make it just a little harder for thieves to sell your laptop to unsuspecting buyers.
Finally, if the worst does happen and your laptop is stolen, report it to local authorities immediately. If it was a business laptop, also notify your employer. You may also wish to review the Consumer Information section of the FTC website at www.ftc.gov for information about data breaches and identity theft.