Procedures for Improved Laptop Security
| The biggest risk
to laptops is damage to the machines caused by knocks and drops,
however notebooks are portable and valuable, and every year
thousands of notebooks and laptops are reported stolen. Of course
some were simply misplaced by their owners, or left in hotel
rooms, restaurants, airports, cabs, trains, buses or coffee
shops. It is always wise to take measures against theft and
protect your data. Below are a list of guidelines to provide you
with improved laptop security. Privacy Shields Sometimes whilst composing a letter or editing documents on a train or plane you may find your fellow passengers peering over your shoulder, or sneaking furtive glances at your screen. If you are happy to show these people your computer gaming prowess this isn't a problem, but if you are dealing with private and confidential information a privacy screen is an option to consider. These screens are made from plastic and limit the viewing angle of the notebook's display, allowing only the user sitting directly in front of the machine to read the information displayed clearly. Engrave Your Laptop Marking your notebook computer in this way may prevent it from simply being resold over the internet via classified ads or online auction web sites. This may seem like a drastic measure, but permanently engraving the outer case of the laptop with your company name, address, and phone number may greatly increase the chance of getting it returned to you if you happen to leave it on a train, bus or on your bed on the coffee table in your hotel room. Are cheap laptops worth protecting? I think so! Register Your Laptop In the event your notebook is stolen, it will be impossible for the police to ever recover it if they can't trace it back to you. This considered it's best to register your machine with the manufacturer. Registering your laptop in this way will increase the odds of you getting it back safely, if the person who took it ever attempts to upgrade or repair the machine. It is also wise to write down the serial number and store it in a safe place. Buy a Cable Lock While cable locks may not stop determined people with bolt cutters, it will effectively deter the casual pilferer. Many of todays laptops are equipped with a Universal Security Slot (USS) that allows them to be attached to an alarm or cable lock. A cable lock can be purchased cheaply for $30 to $50 and can be found at office supply shops or online tech stores. Software Tracking Stolen laptops can be electronically tracked and recovered. These tracking systems use the cell phone network GPS (global positioning system) to relay the laptops location with the central tracking computer. Another way to increase the security of your laptop is by using a software tracking code placed inside the laptops hard drive. The software, which lies inside undetected, will communicate with a central system through the Internet. This software is at the cutting edge of laptop security and will reveal the location of your notebook, which should enable recovery. Install a Firewall Imagine someone having free access to valuable data such as client addresses, credit card details, and personal correspondence stored on your notebook. Firewalls such as ZoneAlarm are a cheap layer of security to act as a buffer between you and data harvesters. They only take a few minutes to install but can save weeks of heartache. Installing firewalls and anti virus software are important factors in laptop maintenance. Laptop insurance Even the most careful notebook computer owner is at risk from an accident at work that may damage his/her machine. Wires can be easily tripped over, coffee can be spilled over a keyboard, the laptop can be dropped on the floor, the only way to protect yourself fully against these mishaps is by purchasing an extended warranty or an insurance policy for your machine. |