How To Protect Your Laptop Against Theft & Loss

By Author: Titus Hoskins
Total Articles: 113
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Laptop theft is rampant. You have a 1 in 10 chance your shiny new laptop will be stolen. And the real shocker: according to the FBI 97% are never recovered.

And they should know, the U.S. Department of Justice stated in a recent report that the FBI lost 160 laptops in a 44 month period ending in September of 2005. If FBI agents have trouble keeping track of their laptops, imagine what the ordinary person is facing.

The statistics are pretty grim. A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. Ouch!

With stats like those you have to do everything in your power to avoid becoming a victim of laptop theft. If you keep valuable personal or business information on your laptop the consequences can be even more gruesome and devastating. For laptop hardware can be easily replaced, but your valuable information may be lost forever.

So here are...

10 Practical Ways to Protect Your Laptop Against Theft, Loss or Misplacement.

1. Keep Your Eyes On Your Laptop

Be aware of your laptop at all times especially when traveling. You wouldn't ...
... leave a Thousand Dollar Bill lying around unattended would you? So watch your laptop closely.

2. Don't Use An Obvious Laptop Bag

Carry your laptop in regular luggage that doesn't look like it has a laptop. Don't advertise your laptop to any would-be thieves.

3. Use Visual Locks And Restraints

Use visual locks and restraints to secure your laptop and to act as a deterrent. It won't fool hardened thieves but most will opt for a less secure laptop. For example, you can use a product like STOP, this system works by attaching a specially-made security plate to your laptop. This plate is barcoded and registered. It also carries a warning label letting would-be cyber thieves know that the ownership of your laptop is permanently monitored.

4. Use Passwords And Encryption

Use passwords and encryption to protect any sensitive information on your laptop. Again, unless you use very sophisticated encryption it won't fool the experienced hacker or hard-core digital thief but it will slow down and hinder the common criminal.

Set a BIOS Password for your laptop. You have to take advantage of any security option that's on your laptop's OS or operating system. For those using Mac OS X you can encrypt your entire hard drive and set-up a master password in order to view it.

Windows XP & Vista lets you encrypt files and folders. Just right click your data, select properties, open general tab and then advanced to check

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About the Author:

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The author has a keen interest in all things laptop and runs
an online Laptop Buyer's Guide:
http://www.bizwaremagic.com/notebook-online-buyers-guide.htm
For Timely Special Savings/Deals/Coupons on Toshiba, Dell,
Apple, Sony, Alienware... try here: Cheap Laptops
http://www.bizwaremagic.com/cheap_laptops.htm

Copyright (c) 2007 Titus Hoskins. This article may be
freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.