Theft-Proof Your Laptop

According to a recent FBI/CSI survey, 50 percent of IT security respondents reported theft of laptops and mobile devices in 2007. And a June 2008 study by the Ponemon Institute reveals an additional 12,000 laptops are lost in U.S. airports every week. One easy tip to follow, consider your laptop the equivalent of cold, hard cash. You wouldn’t leave your wallet unattended, nor should you let your laptop out of sight even for a second.

Forgetful? Consider using a distance alarm that sounds an alert if you move away from the device. Use cable locks to secure laptops in conference rooms or unattended offices. Outfit the laptop with asset tags to ensure that lost laptops are returned and to deter would-be thieves. Best bets: engraving combined with non-removable tracking tags.

Ease your high-tech fears with LAPTOP's 31 security tips >>