Crime Prevention and Security Tips
Laptop Theft Prevention Strategies
- Record the make, model and serial number of the laptop and any peripheral attached devices and keep the numbers at both a secured location and in a wallet or purse.
- Return the completed warranty card to the manufacturer. This may help “flag it” if a thief ever sends it in for maintenance.
- Back-up files in your laptop on a regular basis or download critical files to your desktop computer or server.
- If privately owned, make sure the laptop is covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy. A rider or special insurance policy may be needed. Safeware Insurance Company offers such coverage.
Cost = $150.00- $200.00 annually. - Never leave a laptop visible in an unattended motor vehicle. If it is necessary to leave a laptop in a an unattended vehicle, the best place is in a locked trunk.
- Carry a laptop in a nondescript carrying case, briefcase or bag when traveling. Placing it in a case specifically designed for computers makes it an obvious target for thieves.
- When traveling by taxi, shuttle bus or public transportation, keep your laptop with you at all times
- Laptop Security at the Airport
- Keep your laptop as a carry-on. Place it in the under-seat storage area, if possible.
- In the airport, always keep your laptop within your sight line.
- Laptops in Motor Vehicles
- Never leave a laptop in an unlocked vehicle – even in a driveway or garage.
- Even in a locked vehicle, never leave a laptop in plain sight.
- If you must leave a laptop in a vehicle, place it in a locked trunk.
- If you don’t have a trunk, cover it up and lock the vehicle doors.
- Laptop Theft Prevention Strategies
- Encryption - Install software that makes documents stored in a laptop computer unreadable to anyone without a correct password.
- Strong Password Guidelines
- Use 2 or 3 unrelated short words
- Include at least 3 character sets, e.g. special characters or punctuation numerals, and a mixture of upper and lower case letters.
- Deliberately misspell words.
- Distinctive Markings
- Apply distinctive markings to make your laptop unique or easily identifiable.
- Security Tracking of Office Property (STOP) – The STOP tag, which is glued to the laptop case and requires 800 pounds of pressure to remove, leaves an etched stolen property inscription and phone number for recovery.
www.stoptheft.com
- Cables Locking Systems
- -cables are attached to the Universal Security Slot (USS) provided in most laptops. Anchor the laptop to a table or desk with the cable.
- Most of these devices are between $30-$50 and can be found at office supply stores.
www.anchorpad.com
www.kensington.com
www.computersecurity.com
www.pcguardian.com - Alarm Devices
- Two units - one in the laptop case and the other carried by the owner. There are RF transmissions between the two units. If the units are separated beyond a predetermined distance, an alarm sounds.
www.Trackitcorp.com - Motion Detection Systems
- The Caveo anti-theft system for Windows laptops has a motion detector that emits a 110-decibel alarm if the laptop is moved beyond a user-specified (3-30 foot) perimeter.
Cost of Caveo system is approximately $75-$80
www.caveo.com - Theft Retrieval Programs
- Similar to “LoJack”
- “Stealth” software is loaded into the laptop - detects presence of a telephone line and periodically dials an 800 number to report its serial number and the phone number it is calling from.
- Software is undetectable and tamper-proof.
- CompuTrace - initial cost is $30.00 with annual cost of $50.00
- CyberAngel – automatically transits the calling location ID – both telephone and network connection.
- Lucira
- zTrace
- Stolen Computer Registry –
- Nacomex USA will publish the serial number on a stolen computer registry - buyers, sellers, insurers, law enforcement can use this service.
Laptop Security Technologies - User Authentication – confirm authorized user – prevent unauthorized access
- Physical Locking Devices – deter theft
- Encryption – protect data
- Monitoring and Tracing Software – locate and assist in recovery of stolen computers
- Alarms – deter theft
- Excellent laptop Security Information on Internet (Google)
- Corporate Laptop Security Guide – SANS Institute
- Caveo – Laptop computer Security whitepaper, March, 2003
User Awareness and Precautions