(I see my original post was too big --- gee, who'd a thunk it? LOL -- so I will break it into two parts.)
The National Enquirer reports at 10:54 PM -0400 10/18/04, Brent Baeslack wrote: >You wrote: > >The National Enquirer reports at 9:18 AM +0000 10/17/04, Brent > >Baeslack wrote: > > > >>Greetings Listers, > >> What would be your advice as to how to secure a PISMO (400 > >>mHz) OS 10.3.5 for traveling? > > > >Do you mean physical security (anti-theft)? Or post-theft? > > > >> I'm finally taking my book "on the > >>road" and would appreciate thoughts and suggestions as to how to > >>secure it. > > > >It would help to know what kind of environment you will be concerned > >about -- motel/hotel room? conference room? someone else's house? > >something else? > > > >>I've heard of firmware password and searched and seen some > >>software that supposedly sends a data packet when connected to the > >>net that helps zero in on its location. Is any of those software > >>programs worth while? > > > >I'm not sure what you are referring to here. Do you mean software > >that sends and email message indicating its IP address *after* the > >unit has been stolen? If that's the case, check... > > > >MacPhoneHome which works under both OS 8/9 and OS X. $29.95 per > >download/license. > ><http://www.brigadoonsoftware.com/purchase.html> > > > >There are 2 or 3 similar programs, but I'm not sure this is what you > >are wanting. > > > > > >If you are concerned about physical security, let me address that > >issue with which I am familiar. I have used the Defcon 1 unit for a > >number of years. It's a combination of a security cable and a > >piercing audio alarm which is set off by a user-adjustable motion > >sensor. Noting the paragraph below starting with "Keep in mind...", > >the Defcon 1 is one of the best systems I have run across. > > > ><http://www.portinc.com/defcon.htm> still in the $50 range I believe. > > > >This one I haven't explored, but you may want to take a look: > > > ><http://www.fmjpadlock.com> > > > >Keep in mind, that if someone **really** wants to steal your laptop. > >There's not much you can do to prevent it, other than keeping it with > >you all of the time. > > > >BTW I also have some advice on how to protect your laptop in > >airports, if you are interested. >Bob: > Thanks for your response. >I will provide more specifics, sorry I did not provide more details. It's always a good idea to provide as much information as possible. It helps folks like me better understand what you're actually needing. :-) >Mode of transport is A) airplane My opinion on taking a laptop on an airplane is to always make it one of my carry-on bags. I would never have it shipped in the cargo hold, even if it was in a suitcase with clothes or other items. My PB is **never** out of my sight. And I never store it in an overhead compartment in the plane. It's far too easy for someone to carelessly knock it out onto the floor. I always put mine under the seat in front of me. Another hint that many of us use -- don't travel with your laptop turned off. Just put it to sleep. Then when you are asked to turn it on by airport security, just tap a key instead of waiting for a cold boot. I'm going to bypass things like connectors for power-jacks in some sections of some airlines, as well as using wireless networks in commercial airports. >B) car The key issue when taking a laptop in a car IMO is never leave the PB where is can be seen and/or stolen. It only takes a knowledgeable thief a few seconds to break into a a vehicle and escape. I would lock it up in the trunk, even if I was stopping at a McDonalds. But then, I'm an extra cautious type of guy. :-) >Temporary shelter is A) motel This could be your biggest concern. From motel cleaning people to break-in thieves, motels are very high security risks for a laptop. I would do one of the following: 1. Take the laptop with me when actually leaving the premises. 2. At least put it some place out of plain view (at the top the closet under an extra pillow or blanket, I have even put mine in the tub) 3. Secure it with a security cable/alarm. >B) conference Tough when you have to go to the bathroom, huh? <g> I try to make friends with someone next to me and ask them to watch my laptop when I'm leaving my seat during a break or whatever (and in that type of environment, I'm as concerned about someone knocking it off a seat or a seat tray as I am about someone stealing it) As crazy as it sounds, I would take it with me when I went to lunch. >Requesting suggestions to provide difficultly to physical transport (stealing) One of the *advantages* of beefed up security at airports is that items being stolen at the X-ray machines should be dramatically less. However, maybe out of habit, I'm still extremely cautious when putting mine through the X-ray machine. If someone like Steve Wozniak can have his laptop stolen (at LAX), I think it's worth paying attention to. Just make sure the following doesn't happen to you. A common ploy has been to "choose" a victim and a party of 2 or 3 persons go into security, usually one or two before and the others behind or in a different line of the chosen victim. While the first person delays going through the metal detector by keeping keys or any other metal object, thus distracting the officers. The others go ahead and take the article from the conveyer belt before the victim can go through the metal detector. When the victim gets to the other side the computer, purse, camera or other valuable is gone without a trace. Another point when having a laptop (in a carrying case) with you in an airport. Be careful of someone distracting you while someone else snatches your laptop from on the floor next to you, or from the seat next to you while you grab something to eat, rest your eyes, or just wait for you flight. Keep it where you will always know where it is, no matter what's going on around you. >also to loss of operational control of unit (snooping and/or illicit access) I honestly don't think that is a major problem...if you don't leave the computer up and running when unattended. If you're running OS 9 or X, you can have passworded login enabled. That will prevent most non-professionals from gaining access to your computer. If it gets stolen, I think the thieves will be more concerned with hocking the unit rather than stealing information from it. Just MHO. ...Part-2 to follow Bob -- If replying privately, please include my name in the To: address, so that my filters won't send your reply to the trash. -- G-Books is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... 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