> -----Original Message----- > From: Hubert Chan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of > Hubert Chan > Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 6:47 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Stolen laptop - how to increase security? > [...] > You missed the, IMHO, most effective/important/simple method: get a laptop > lock. Almost all (if not all) of the new laptops come with a slot for the > lock, and if yours doesn't have one, most locks come with a kit > to add a slot.
My laptop was not new, and it was a second hand one. I agree that having a lock would be one of the best idea. But this doesn't apply to unsecure environment (e.g. working in 'alien' location). > One of Targus' Defcon locks even has a motion sensor, so you > don't have to lock it up to a secure place, if you don't have one around. This seems cool. > The only drawback that I can think of is that it takes a couple > extra seconds > to set up or pack up your laptop. Just make sure that the cable > you get is > resistant to cutting (i.e. don't tie your laptop up with a shoelace). > > Jérôme> use a BIOS password. This can apparently be reset > depending on the > Jérôme> type. Jumper reset, use of a BIOS reseter, etc... > > If you use a BIOS password/boot loader security, ADVERTISE IT! > Paste a sticker > (or tape a piece of paper) on the top of your laptop, saying > something like, > "WARNING: This laptop is password protected. The password can > only be removed by an authorized [manufacturer's name] technician presented with proof of > ownership. So don't even think of stealing it, because it won't > do you any good." Your primary goal is to prevent your laptop from being > stolen in the first place. Your secondary goal is to recover it after it is stolen. This seems good except that if I am a guy stealing the laptop, I won't take the time to read the dman message. It takes less than 15 seconds to enter an office, unplug the machine put it in a bag and leave. So if I reads the message at home, I might just throw the machine away... > Other tips: > > - - paste your name/ph#/address onto your laptop. So if someone > finds it, they can contact you. It probably doesn't really add much security, > since the person who steals your laptop can just remove it, but it > doesn't take much time to do. (Make sure you remember to update it if you move, though.) > > - - if you don't mind marking up a piece of equipment worth > several thousand dollars, make sure your laptop has some distinguishing feature > that is easily recognizable. Mine has a bunch of stickers pasted on it. Not > only does it make your laptop easier to recognize, my guess is that people > would be less likely to steal it. Thanks for the good ideas. I had my business card attached to the device, but I guess that it has been quickly removed... Next time I stick one or two of these under the keyboard, inside the machine (on the hard disk), etc... If this machine ever gets to a repair office, I might get the machine back. Jerome
