Laptop Security

Unfortunately nearly a million laptops are stolen in the U.S. every year.  In addition to the cost of replacing the device, you  lose all of the software you have purchased over the years, you allow identity thieves to obtain your passwords and other sensitive data, and your cherished photos, music and videos will be lost forever.

A laptop computer is essential for the college student or anyone who travels for business.  It allows you to work from home, a hotel room,  conference hall,  coffee shop, or  a lecture hall.  But all of this freedom requires you to think seriously about your laptop security plan.

All it takes is a minor distraction for your laptop to vanish.  You run to the bathroom and leave your room unlocked.  You leave your laptop on the table at the coffee shop while you get a refill.  It's like leaving one or two $500 bills on the table and expecting it to be there when you come back.  Don't be foolish.  You need to seriously think about laptop security.

Here are some common sense tips for keeping your laptop safe.

Don't leave your laptop "just for a minute"

You may even ask someone to keep and eye on your laptop but then they get distracted - or maybe they are not trustworthy themselves - and in seconds your laptop is gone.  Unfortunately this happens all of the time, this is exactly the scenario the thief is looking for to steal your laptop.  Laptops are designed to be portable - just take it with you and avoid this situation.

Keep your laptop out of sight

Leaving your laptop on the seat of your car while you go shopping is an invitation for someone to break in and steal it.  So in addition to the lost laptop, you have a broken window too.  Not cool.  At the very least for good laptop security stick it in the trunk.  But you want to do this before you get to the mall so no one wandering around looking for easy marks sees you do this.  If you forget to stick you laptop in the trunk before hand, then at least hide it under the seat to reduce the odds of you becoming a victim of laptop theft.

Keep your laptop locked up

The use of any kind of security device whihc makes it more difficult for someone to just walk away with your laptop is essential.  Laptop thefts are often crimes of opportunity.  The thief siezes the opportunity that you have allowed by making it easy for him or her to steal your laptop.

When working in your office, hotel room, or college dorm room, if you are leaving just for a few minutes make sure you at least use a laptop security cable and lock and attach it to something immovable.  Most laptops have a Kensington style security slot on them where you can attach a laptop cable lock.  This is not the best laptop security arrangement as these laptop locks can eventually be defeated, however they will slow down a thief to the point that they may not bother.

Clearly the most secure laptop security arrangement is some type of laptop safe. With a laptop safe you can have the peace of mind that when you leave your laptop will be safe.  That is why nearly all modern hotel rooms and now even hospital rooms include in-room safes which are designed to hold laptop computers.  There are several types of laptop safes which include laptop safes designed for use in college dorm rooms, in the wall safes for home use, and attache style laptop safes designed for mobile use. 

Get more information and read product reviews at laptopsafe.net 

 

 

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