How to keep your laptop safe?

I just recently purchased the A8Jp from newegg.com. It took a lot to convince my parents to get it. I hope its a good deal.

But what else came up with my talk to them is, they dont think I will keep my laptop safe from theft or just keeping it in good shape. What are some ideas which i can protect my laptop from stealing? As for keeping it in good shape, I can used the carrying case for it. Is there any ideas to add on?

Sorry if i posted in the wrong forum. I wasnt sure where this topic goes

 

Consider getting a notebook lock - a device which attaches to the security lock port of your notebook, and is attached to a non-movable surface to avoid theft.

 

Regarding theft, some homeowners insurance cover notebooks/pcs. Ask your parents to talk to their agent. Then there are other insurers that specialize in laptop/notebook/pc insurance like Safeware. Depending on what they charge and what deductible they have, you may or may not decide that it's for you.

That said, you're a marked man with that nb. The best advice I can give is to treat it like it's your wallet. KEEP IT CLOSE. And back up your system periodically, just in case it is ripped off, so you'll at least have your important docs.

As for keeping it in good shape, you're in total control of that. Don't treat it like you stole it and you should be OK. Wipe it down occasionally and protect it from nicks and dings by keeping it stored in the case when not in use.

 

Be sure to clean the laptop out from time to time - take a look at the cooling guide.

You will want to get a good sleeve and notebook bag for it.

 

Unfortunately, the best practice is to keep it with you. Notebook locks can help to a degree, but the fact remains that if a thief really wants your notebook--there's not a whole lot that can stop him.

As Chaz mentioned, a good sleeve and notebook bag could make it easier for you to keep it safe with you.

 

What about the Computrace LoJack service? Their website has all kinds of success stories and encouraging numbers, but does anyone know if their service is really that much of a help in getting stolen laptops back?

I'm transfering colleges next semester and I'm thinking about getting it for my thinkpad. Is it worth the $100 for three years?

 

Laptops fare pretty well in the "good shape" department -- if you keep food and liquid away from it, and refrain from leaving it on the floor, it will be fine.

Theft? When it's out of your bag, you can't ever let the laptop out of your sight. There are people who actually troll college libraries, office buildings, etc. just itching to swipe laptops (and Ipods, digitial cameras, PDAs -- any place where high-end portable electronics are used is a target-rich environment). Leave it unattended for 15 seconds, it could be gone. Laptop theft is easy and profitable due to Ebay.

Sad, but very true.

 

Another suggestion that will make your notebook/laptop computer less attractive to thieves is to get it engrave with your name, driver's id #, serial number on the main portion of the computer (Not on an easily replaceable panel like the memory access door).

But like someone else did point out, laptop/notebook computers need to be threated like CASH$.

Do not leave unattended. If you travel in a car, put it in the trunk (out of view) before you leave your home. Do not do this after you have parked your car in a commercail parking space as you never know who is watching.

I have been pretty lucky for the past 19 years (I have yet to have a laptop/notebook computer stolen) and use mine for my work.

Strongly suggest you follow the suggestion of adding the notebook computer in your parent Home Insurance Coverage. Some insurance company will even cover mishaps (dropping the computer and breaking something).

The last thing that help against theft is custom built notebooks ($$$$) with your name actually printed on the notebook and then severall coats of clear paint are applied over it. My latest notebook has been custom built by VoodooPC with a custom graphic of my choice on the lid with my name.

Most thieves will steal for an easy gain of cash. If they need to modify or alter what they have stolen before they can sell it off, it is worth less to them and is more risky of getting caught with stolen goods.

My last word of advise, keep the purchase invoice in a safe place with the serial number of the laptop/notebook written down if it's not already on your invoice. Should you ever get that notebook stolen, you will have the information to report to the proper authorities and also report it to the laptop manufacturer customer service with the proper police report.

As notebooks computers mostly use custom parts that are not easily replaceable with other manufacurer's part, most of the time you do not have any other choice then to deal with the manufacurer for service.

Lastly, my brother had a brand new notebook computer stolen from his car in January of this year (The notebook was still in the sealed box) and had no insurance (Did not use the proper credit card to protect his purchase). Reporting it to the local police was a real pain (he had to make 3 40 miles round trips) and I suggested to him that he report the theft to Toshiba Canada along with a copy of the invoice he still had and a copy of the police report. 3 months later, he received a call from Toshiba Canada that told him that they had his laptop at they service department in Toronto and got his laptop a week later with a few minor scratches but in full working order.

Merry Christmas to all

frenchnew

 

Lojack has its faults.....for instance.....it's useless if it can't use the internet....no internet means Lojack is useless.......also, I'm pretty sure that a reformat of the HD will wipe lojack from the system.....one more thing.......it's usually a one year subscription so you'll be paying a $100 a year to have something that doesn't always work......I have it for my laptop simply because my parents wanted to have something to keep it safe......not all theives are smart enough to reformat the HD so there is still a chance it will work, but the theif will have to acces the internet for it to work.
If you really want to protect you system.....a biometric security device would be more sensible....at least that way you won't be relying on the internet for the safety of your laptop.

 

LoJack is $100 for a three year subscription and they claim that it will embed itself in the TPM and replicate itself if the HD is formatted. Also, one can set the notebook's wireless to connect automatically to any open network.

That said, I know that even with those considerations it is not perfect. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with it or knew first hand of success with it.

As for biometric security, I've been wondering about that. My thinkpad will have a fingerprint scanner, but if I were to get LoJack and use the scanner to prevent entry into the OS, wouldn't LoJack be useless?

 

is a tracking system a possible thing?
like a tracking device and you have the receiver?

 

It won't be entirely worthless but It will definitly be less needed.
Again.....the internet is the key to making lojack work........sure you can set it to connect wirelessly to any open network.....but first the laptop has to be within range of an open network, and you have to hope that the thief doesn't turn off the wireless.....I don't have any personally experiece with my laptop being stolen....All I can do if that where to happen is to hope that lojack does its job........I guess I'll just have to trust the success stories that the company puts out for the customers to read.

 

you could ask them to buy you computrace for your new laptop that way if it is stolen you call it in then they activate the tracking becon VIA internet in the laptop the recovery rate of laptops with computrace is like 90%. What it does is use the wireless card in it to relay it's positionfrom any wireless signal with internet it can find

 

how about a surge protector? never had one though! here's a link

http://www.gcn.com/print/vol18_no21/224-1.html?topic=reviews

 

I'm guessing LoJack would work unless the thief wipes the harddrive.

 

While my laptop doesn't have a finger print scanner, I am with Chrisyano and Chaz, you should invest in a shock absorbing sleeve. (especially if you are traveling alot and security has to hold your laptop). I bought mine from Shinza.com after calling and asking about a student discount. The case has been outstanding.

 

A Kensington key lock is good. Newegg has it for about $30 I believe. Not sure what to tell you about protection. If it were a Macbook then I'd suggest the BSE invisible skin and iSkin keyboard protector but other than a sleeve you can probably get a DIY sheet of invisible skin and cut-to-fit.

 

The key to total notebook security is to create a 50,000 volt potential difference between its chasis and the surrounding area...most notably the ground. Of course, the tricky part would be disguising whatever mechanism you would use to enable this, but it works uh shockingly well.

 

hahaha... I was thinking more along the lines of hooking a 12V, 650A car battery up to a metal portion of the chassis. I'm thinking that wouldn't be good for you. kinda tough to hide, though.

As far as the original poster goes. Theft is pretty much like leaving $1500 cash on a desk and then leaving. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN. The laptop should either be attached to you via carrying case or else someone should have to knock you unconscious to get it.

As for keeping it pretty, don't treat it like you're carrying a cinder block or something. A person in one of my classes from two semesters ago had a Compaq v2000, and would slam her bag down on the ground or in the next chair in the lecture hall. The screen would wobble around like there was an earthquake just from her typing. Basically don't be a retard, and treat the notebook like the (relatively) delicate piece of electronics and machinery it is.

 

Another thing to consider... Instead of getting a standard notebook bag that slings over one shoulder maybe get a sleeve for it and put it in an ordinary backpack. That way people will not know you are carrying around a notebook and its not so obvious. Also try not to get a backpack with a notebook designation such as Targus. Thats a pretty obvious clue.