Securing Your Laptop Against Theft

Katra

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2006/tc20061031_651978.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_computers

I remember coming across a program that did this, but can't remember which it was. However its an interesting subject, I wonder how many of us have information, apart from the usual sensitive information, that we would not like people to see

WatchOut

Thanks for this Katra. Really nice article, very good for the Laptop users'.

xPureNLx

Ah yes, I have some great articles about this subject. I'll post some later

Thanks for bringing this up,

- xPureNLx

WatchOut

Thanks for that xPureNLx. Waiting to see

Nuvo

There's always the physical side of things.
If you plan on leaving a laptop anywhere, something like a Kensington lock will keep people from lifting it and running for the hills (a lot of laptops have small holes on the side for these things).
There's also my take, which is called the bloody great big chain, padlock and wires leading to a lamp post technique.
Basically, chain the laptop down and electrify the chain (using a non-conductive container would be a good idea BTW).

Software based security is al well and good, but you can't really nuke your HDD over the web if the laptop isn't connected, having everything but the OS destroyed is not going to bother someone who's going to sell the laptop and chances are that by the time you find your laptop, it's been stripped for parts, which makes it harder to trace, so some sort of physical security is a good idea.

P.S.
The Toughbook is a good thing to buy if you worry about being rough with a laptop as they are immortal... Literally.
One was tested on The Gadget Show and not even an explosion or water could stop it booting (one of these has saved a soldier by stopping a bullet).

fiona2412

I remember seeing that Toughbook, it's a cool idea. Our laptop never leaves the dining table, well no it does occationally when hubby is coping from the video camera to dvd, then it moves to the coffee table lol. It's never left the house, but what does bother me in being burgled. I was burgled many years ago, i hadn't been living away from my parents long so they didn't get much. But now if someone was to break in. There's no way to really secure the laptop apart from to sleep with it and i'm not sure hubby would approve

omoi

I have plenty of things I'd like to keep private and I have a laptop which I suppose makes the whole situation worse eh? What a great link, I plan on securing my stuff ASAP

cherry12345

To get your laptop from theft, then you have to keep your laptop credentials in a safe place. Don't share any information with anyone and know information you leave online

Oluwasegunfemi

Wow. This is very informative and well detailed. Thank you so much for this it really came in very helpful.

olaide85

There are so many program developed to counterattack theft on a laptop. The program will definitely notify someone of the malicious attempt.

surjboy

Apps developed to counter computer attack makes me really happy. But atimes this same programmer are still the ones that will get a cracked version, stealth the app to be bye passed.