Laptop security

I'll be going off to college soon, so I was wondering about making sure my laptop doesn't get stolen. My mom got a lock with her dell which i guess i'll use, but i was wondering what other people did to secure their laptops. does anyone use lojack for laptops? how does that work and is it worth it? any tips would be great. thanks in advance.

 

You can always check this out:

http://us.kensington.com/html/6311.html

- Jordan

 

i like the alarm, but i've already got a targus lock. anyone use the lojack deal or something similar? i'm under the impression that a potential thief would need to log onto the internet for it to work, which seems kind of pointless.

 

Another precaution is to buy an UV pen and mark your expensive and attractive belongings (notebook obviously, expensive electronics, you get the idea) with your name and contact details. It won't prevent theft but it'll certain hinder the crook's ability to profit.

 

I'm just going to use the laptop lock in my dorm. I figure I'll have the notebook with me when I take it to class, etc. and only really need to worry about it getting stolen when I'm out and about and my roomate leaves the door open. The "thief" takes a look in the room and is just looking for a quick snag. If it's got a lock on it, he won't be able to take it easily without either ripping stuff apart of bolt cutters (which he probably doesn't carry on him).

Lojack wouldn't work for me because the theif wouldn't be able to get past my logon, so wouldn't be able to connect to the internet.

 

The thief will take another hard disk and use that. In this way no trace of the previous owner will ever be discovered and you can use the internet again. This will also mean Lojack will not work since it is on another hard disk.

Oh, and it is possible to close the Lojack process (it is "camouflaged", but it is still quite easy to shut Lojack off).

 

A Pelican laptop case and a pair of handcuffs should be enough.

 

what kind of laptop do you have? this is a pretty nice app for macs but im sure there is something similar for windows.

 

I think a good way to protect hardware is to "defend" it with hardware (although the program stealthsniper96 mentions sounds quite effective). By locking your notebook to a table you show the thief it will be difficult to steal the notebook. It's even better when the thief doesn't even know you have a notebook. Put your notebook in a backpack instead of a notebook case.

The thief can't see the notebook is protected with software so it won't prevent him from taking the notebook. I think there is a bigger chance your notebook will get stolen anyway, when using an alarm.

Sorry for my vague use of language. =)

 

If you get a cable lock make sure it's a combo not a drum-style key. Those can be picked in less than a minute http://youtube.com/watch?v=as-CPdf-rKI

 

And although I like and recommend Pelican cases, the laptop cases from Pelican have one key that opens them all, and everyone gets that one key.

 

good advice - that's a mental trick

 

thanks for the vid. i went with a kensington combo lock. $18