Laptop Computer Security - How Safe Is Your Notebook?
Hundreds of thousands of laptop computers are stolen every year, yet only a tiny percentage of those laptops are ever recovered. Most notebooks are swiped when they are left unattended in offices, hotel conference rooms, taxi cabs, and public places such as airports and restaurants. When your laptop is sold on the street, valuable data is lost with it. Sometimes the data, not the computer, is the real target. A devious thief with access to personal details stored on your laptop's hard drive such as, name, address, date of birth, bank details, and social security number, could wreak havoc with your personal finances and credit rating.There have been many high profile victims of laptop theft.
Recently a laptop computer was stolen from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Margita Thompson. Access to confidential political data may have been the prominent motive behind the theft of this notebook.Protecting your laptop computerRecently IBM has created a fingerprint reader for select Thinkpad T42 models, that could well be the future of laptop security. The fingerprint reader creates a biometric layer of security almost impossible to breach, but what about the rest of us with older notebooks?Below you'll find 4 useful ways to protect your laptop computer.Laptop cable locksCable locks should deter the casual pilferer. Many laptops are equipped with a Universal Security Slot (USS) that allows the notebook to be attached to a cable lock. They can be purchased cheaply at office supply outlets and computer stores.Engraving your laptop computer Permanently engraving your precious notebook may seem like a drastic measure, but marking the outer case of the laptop with your phone number and address, may deter thieves and, if stolen, increase the chance of having the laptop returned to you.
Laptop motion detectorsEquipping your notebook with a motion detector alarm that sets of a loud noise if it is moved. Such an alarm might cause a thief to discard the laptop. An interesting variation is a small radio transmitter that triggers an alarm when a notebook moves more than 10-20 feet away from a receiver kept in your purse, wallet or pocket. Such an alarm would certainly alert the thousands of people a year who simply leave their laptops in taxis.Laptop trackingStolen laptops can be electronically traced using a software tracking code installed inside the laptop's hard drive. Tracing programs, such as Cyberangel work when the laptop connects to the Internet and secretly reports the location of the laptop.
Computrace Personal offers a similar service through a three year contract and agrees to pay up to $1000 if your notebook computer is not recovered in thirty days. Ztrace is a company offering an interesting twist to laptop tracking. They offer a facility to remotely delete or encrypt sensitive files on your laptop after it is stolen.The portability of laptop computers is both a boon to busy executives and to laptop thieves. Learning to secure your notebook will thwart their efforts and keep your laptop and precious data safe.About the laptops webloghttp://www.laptopical.com - a web site offering relevant news commentary on laptops, notebooks and mobile computers.More articles - http://www.laptopical.com/site-map.html.
Does Your Laptop Have a Seatbelt?
(ContentDesk) February 16, 2004 -- The Braatpaq bag is designed to look like a traditional laptop carrying case, but comes with additional straps that enable it to be mounted over the front seat headrests, securing the laptop computer and allowing rear seat passengers to view the screen.
The laptop is opened and positioned in the bag so that the screen extends outside the bag.
In addition, inner straps secure the laptop while it is in use. The bag is specially reinforced to provide extra durability.
Users have the option of zipping it up or leaving it open while in use.
The Braatpaq bag works in most vehicles from compacts to minivans and SUVs, and can also be used as a regular laptop carrying case.
For those who have had mounted units ripped out of a vehicle, this provides a good alternative.The idea was conceived after Yvonne Apronti, President of Braatpaq, Inc realized that her children got restless during family trips. Mobile units were...
Laptop > Does Your Laptop Have a Seatbelt?
She-Tech.com Combines Handbag Sophistication with Form and Function in its New Line of Women?s Laptop Cases for Spring/Summer 2005
Handbag sophistication meets form and function in She-Tech.com's new line of women's laptop cases for Spring/Summer 2005. Building upon the success of their debut line, She-Tech.com, an Atlanta-based designer and online retailer of laptop cases for women, once again bridges style, fashion, and function; this time by combining handbag craftsmanship with bold and bright textiles.The newest addition to their collection is "Jasmine", a vertical A-shaped tote.
This tote combines the style, flexibility and good looks of a handbag with the form and function required of a laptop case.Patricia Joseph, Founder and Creative director, says "It was important to create this new line with the same quality and aesthetics used in the production of upscale handbags.
Our customers have asked us for laptop cases with handbag styling, and we've listened to their feedback. Our goal was to make our cases as attractive, versatile, and on the go as any stylish handbag or business case, and...
Laptop > She-Tech.com Combines Handbag Sophistication with Form and Function in its New Line of Women?s Laptop Cases for Spring/Summer 2005