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    Laptop Safety and Security

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Krane, Sep 7, 2009.

  1. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    File Back up? Encryption? Password Protection? Kinsington Lock? Alarm? LOJACK? Rottweiler?

    Now that laptop sales has surpassed those of desk tops, what are some ways to keep our laptops safe and secure from those nafarious individuals. How can we keep from becoming a statistic and make sure our valuable information less attractive to identity thieves.

    So far, all I've done was add passwords to my user accounts. In addition, when I bought my system, it came preinstalled with NORTON security for 60 days--which is highly rated and easy to use. That make it most likely the security software I will purchase when the trial period runs out.

    What are some of the other things we should know about; and what have you done so far to protect your valuable information and investment?
     
    Krane, Sep 7, 2009
    #1
  2. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    A trained Trunk Monkey.
     
    newsposter, Sep 7, 2009
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  3. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Seriouly now, laptop theft is significant and on the rise. I certainly don't want to have to go through something like that. Would you?
     
    Krane, Sep 7, 2009
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  4. NotSoTecnical

    NotSoTecnical Notebook Guru

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    im not gonna take mine out of my house...lol or my dorm once i go to collage...that is if I don't find a collage near home
     
    NotSoTecnical, Sep 7, 2009
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  5. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Passwording your account isn't going to stop someone from getting at your data. It is a simple task of resetting the Built in Admin account's password and enabling the account. From there, they have access to your data.

    You could use the Windows built in EFS. The encryption is tied to your user password, so your data is safe unless they brute force your password. If they reset your password, the data is lost forever.

    EFS can encrypt individual files or entire folders. For your browser, I recommend you use a password plugin, like LastPass for FireFox.
     
    surfasb, Sep 7, 2009
    #5
  6. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    laptop theft is a result of leaving your laptop sitting around unattended.
     
    newsposter, Sep 7, 2009
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  7. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Which nobody does...right? You know how it goes: people turn their backs for just a minute and no notebook.
    LOL, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?

    I think I'll get a lock?
     
    Krane, Sep 8, 2009
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  8. ppdd

    ppdd Notebook Enthusiast

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    Gone are the days when laptop theft was restricted to situations where people left their machines unattended. Haven't you seen videos of thieves snatching notebooks off of users' hands and off desks, right in front of the user?
     
    ppdd, Sep 8, 2009
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  9. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Goodness! I didn't know it was that bad. But that's something to make you think.
     
    Krane, Sep 8, 2009
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  10. Th3_uN1Qu3

    Th3_uN1Qu3 Notebook Deity

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    Well this is Romania... One evening i saw a girl around 20yo carry a 17" Dell under her arm, no bag no nothing. I was like this is screaming out loud "steal me!" Of course i didn't do it but i could have easily pulled the laptop from her and dashed away. These things happen all the time here.

    I always carry my laptops in a bag or backpack. No one is going to know what's inside. However, there are people who would steal your bag regardless of what's in it, so i still have to be careful. I don't worry about private data though, all critical data is on my desktop computer, and i have my browser set to not remember any passwords on my notebooks.
     
    Th3_uN1Qu3, Sep 8, 2009
    #10