* Tips for protecting laptop data and preventing notebook theft
Notebook computers are a boon to productivity; they allow us to work virtually anywhere. This very characteristic, however, makes the notebooks themselves as well as the data stored on them much more vulnerable to theft, damage, and loss. It’s always good to remind your notebook users that they are the first line of defense for their computers. Here are a few tips to share with them.
Prevent theft – Notebook computers are a prime target for theft, whether it’s from your office, car, hotel room or other place where you choose to work. SyNET Electronics estimates that more than a million PCs are lost or stolen each year. One of my acquaintances had his laptop stolen from a car, and another had his swiped at a coffee shop when he went to the counter for a refill. A thief could be interested in the data on your PC, or he could simply want to sell the machine itself for a quick couple of bucks. Either way, get in the habit of protecting your notebook computer as you would your wallet or purse. (Would you leave your wallet on the table at an Internet cafe while you visit the restroom?)
* Get a Kensington lock to physically secure your notebook to a desk or other non-movable object. The locks come in a variety of configurations and can be used in places like conference rooms and hotel rooms. Even lock the notebook when you are in your office; while no one likes to think about it, office thefts do occur.
* When transporting your notebook, avoid putting it in a case that screams “notebook computer inside.” Use something less obvious like a backpack or a padded briefcase or suitcase.
* When traveling, carry your notebook with you at all times. Don’t check it as luggage, and put it under the seat in front of you instead of in the overhead bin on airplanes. When traveling by car, lock the PC in the trunk, out of sight of thieves.
* When you must put your notebook down, rest it against your leg or put it between your feet so you can feel its presence. I once left my laptop PC behind at a food counter in the airport because I had set it aside. Thank heavens it was still there when I went back for it 20 minutes later!
Protect the data on your notebook – It goes without saying that the value of your notebook computer is in the information it carries, not in the hardware itself. Here are a few tips to make sure that data isn’t lost or accessed by the wrong hands or eyes.
* Enable a BIOS password on your computer. Since BIOS is the first program that is run when your computer starts, putting a BIOS password can restrict access to your computer. Yes, BIOS passwords can be cracked, but they are an added level of protection for your notebook’s data.
* Add a biometric device that confirms your physical identity on boot-up. Such devices have become highly reliable and accurate in recent years, and USB configurations are easy to add to any computer.
* Back up all files regularly, and especially before traveling. At least then you’ll have a copy if the computer is lost or stolen.
* Be aware that anyone can read over your shoulder when you are in a public space, so don’t view anything on your laptop screen that you wouldn’t want the public to know.
* Don’t use unsecured wireless networks. A sophisticated thief could use such a network to pluck data off your drive or plant malware on your disk without your knowledge.
* Consider deploying full disk encryption on the laptop. Lots of companies are making this a standard practice for all company-owned notebooks.
The tips above are great for protecting individual laptops. If you’re looking for an enterprise-wide solution, look at products like Credant Mobile Guardian from Credant Technologies. Credant provides a policy-based mobile data security and management solution that protects vulnerable data on all kinds of portable devices, not just notebooks. Policies are centralized and pushed out to the mobile devices as needed. I like this solution because it takes a hefty portion of the responsibility of mobile data security out of the users’ hands and places it in the capable hands of the IT professionals.
