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| Don't Let Your Guard Down |
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Mobile Computing March 2002 • Vol.8 Issue 3 Page(s) 114-115 in print issue |
Don't Let Your Guard Down 15 Guidelines For Protecting Your Notebook | ||
 According to information published by the Safeware Insurance Group (http://www.safeware.com), approximately 387,000 notebook PCs were stolen in 2000, a 21% increase over the prior year. Here are some tips to help keep your notebook, and the data it holds, safe. Travel Tips Travel presents some unique challenges to notebook PC owners. The risk of loss due to theft increases dramatically, especially in airports, where travelers are often frustrated and distracted, making them easy prey. 1. Use your eyes. Although it may be overstating the obvious, the most effective way to protect your notebook from theft is to never let it out of your sight, not even for a few seconds. When people will rob convenience stores at gunpoint for less than $100 in cash, it shouldn't come as any surprise to learn that organized criminals specialize in separating travelers from their $3,000 computers. 2. Disguise your notebook. Thieves looking for computers can spot the typical, rectangular notebook case from a great distance. Carrying your computer in a bag that doesn't have the traditional look moves you way down on a crook's priority list. 3. Carry it on. You should never let your computer be placed in the cargo compartment of an airplane. If you are planning to take two carry-on pieces, be sure the second piece can be locked and checked as luggage, if necessary. When a flight is completely full, an airline has the option to change the carry-on policy at the last minute, limiting you to one piece instead of two. 4. Beware of the security checkpoint. A favorite place for thieves to operate is at an airport security checkpoint. In these days of heightened security, it is very easy for you to get separated from your notebook. A favorite tactic for a pair of thieves is to have one thief stationed inside the secure area and one waiting outside. When an unsuspecting traveler puts his or her notebook on the conveyor belt the outside operative carrying a number of metallic objects jumps ahead and sets off the metal detector. By the time he removes the objects, one at a time, and clears the metal detector, his accomplice is long gone with the computer. To avoid this scam, wait to place your computer on the belt until just before you enter the detector yourself, and rid yourself of metal objects so you won't get stopped. You may also be able to hand your computer directly to a security guard and ask him to check it manually, thereby establishing ownership. 5. Charge it up. Before leaving for the airport, be sure your notebook's battery is fully charged. At many checkpoints you are required to briefly power up the unit, apparently to prove it's really a computer and not a case full of explosives. At the very least, a dead battery will cause you some delay at the checkpoint. If your AC power adapter happens to be packed in your checked luggage, you may be denied the right to carry the computer on board. 6. Stow it below. Always stow your computer under the seat in front of you, never in the overhead compartment. In the typical chaos that occurs during deplaning, it is possible for someone to grab your computer and disappear into the crowd before you even get out of your seat. It is also possible for your computer to get damaged in the overhead compartment when a fellow traveler tries to stuff one of those oversized roll-ons on top of your case. 7. Use with caution. If you use your computer on an airplane or in the terminal, be aware of your surroundings and never access confidential information in a public place. Even though most notebook displays have a rather limited viewing field, it is still possible for travelers seated in the row behind you or standing nearby in the terminal to see your screen. 8. Lock it up. Hotel rooms present another security challenge to notebook computer users. Even when your room is locked, dozens of hotel staffers, from maids to maintenance workers, have unsupervised access to your property. To some degree you have to trust the hotel to hire honest workers, but when it comes to a $3,000 piece of equipment, it's best not to tempt fate. A good place to lock up your computer is in your suitcase. Because they are common in hotel rooms, suitcases don't attract attention, and they are usually too large to be hidden on a utility cart. Be sure you also lock up other telltale signs of a computer, such as the mouse and power adapter. General Tips Even when you are not traveling, notebook computers require special care, and a whole industry has evolved to help you protect your computer from theft and loss. Here are a few examples of these businesses. 9. Secure it by cable. A security cable is a device that resembles a small bicycle lock. The cable loops around an immovable object, and a special connector inserts into the security slot on the computer. Cable locks are easy to carry, can be used in a variety of mobile situations, and usually cost less than $50. They are available from a number of manufacturers including Kensington Technology Group (http://www.kensington.com) and Targus Inc. (http://www.targus.com). 10. Detect its movement. Another portable device that works both at home and on the road is a sonic alarm. This motion detector can be connected to the computer's security slot, similar to a cable lock, or it can be attached to the outside of a computer bag when traveling. Once armed, this battery-operated unit senses the slightest movement and sounds an audible alarm when triggered. Motion-sensitive devices are available with a remote control for disarming. 11. Lock the unit down. If your notebook is used in one primary location, you can use a number of devices to secure it in place. Two common devices are the anchor plate and the notebook stand. The anchor plate system consists of two interlocking metal plates, one attached to the computer and the other attached to a desk, table, or cart surface. Anchor plates are designed to secure computers that are not frequently moved from location to location. The notebook stand is a device that attaches to a surface with bolts or screws and secures the computer in the open position with a locking rod that passes across the computer in the area of the screen hinge. These devices are commonly used in retail computer store displays because they don't require any connection or attachment to the computer itself. 12. Secure your data. The best way to safeguard your data is to make sure it stays in your control at all times. Even if someone gains access to your computer, you can prevent unauthorized use of your valuable data by employing password protection. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of many computers includes a protection feature that requires the entry of a password before the OS (operating system) can be loaded. This feature is turned off by default so you may have to look for it. Access to the BIOS usually requires pressing the ESC key or a specific function key early in the boot-up process. ( NOTE: Incorrect changes to the BIOS can result in unwanted, and possibly catastrophic, changes to your computer's behavior.) Surviving A Loss No matter how careful you are, there is always a chance your computer will be lost, stolen, or severely damaged. If this happens, you will be faced with several challenges. You may be able to track down and recover your original computer, or you may have to replace it and recover the data. Here are some ways you can prepare for these unpleasant chores.
One firm, Solagent (http://www.solagent.com), even provides remote retrieval and encryption of your data once the computer is reported missing or if it hasn't checked in for a specified period of time. Retrieved data is stored in your account on Solagent's Web site, and selected files are encrypted using a password. If the computer is later recovered, the Solagent software decrypts any encrypted files and returns the computer to its original state. This service is available for $19.95 per year per computer. 14. Get insurance. If you own a notebook computer, make sure it is covered by insurance. Many homeowner and business policies specifically exclude portable computers so you may have to purchase a special policy, but you'll be glad you did if your unit is lost or stolen. 15. Back up frequently. Even if your insurance company replaces your lost or stolen notebook, it can't replace the valuable data that was on your hard drive. You can reload the OS and application programs from the original media, but your documents, spreadsheets, and databases will be gone unless you force yourself to back them up frequently. If possible, perform a full backup before taking your computer on any trip. Some external tape drives still exist that can accommodate up to 30GB, or you may be able to arrange for a full backup to your corporate file server. If you aren't able to perform a full backup, use whatever media or service is available to back up your data files. Configuring all your normal office software to store files in a single folder, such as My Documents, makes partial backups much easier. If you make extensive modifications to your data files while traveling, consider using an online backup service, such as BackupNet (http://www.backupnet.com), or a portable backup device, such as Iomega's (http://www.iomega.com) Zip drive.  Better Safe Than Sorry. The data on your notebook may be worth more than the computer itself, and the notebook and data's combined value represents a significant investment. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the possibility that this investment will end up in somebody else's hands.  by Dick Archer |
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