Preventing Laptop Theft and Sensitive Data Loss

On one hand, laptops are twice as expensive as the classical desktop solutions, especially because they include state of the art technology, designed to fulfill user’s expectations in terms of computing power, storage, and connectivity.

On the other hand, they allow you to store and carry an entire workspace or office anywhere in this world. Laptops also hold this added value consisting in data and information you store and update with each and every day of work, whether we talk about the latest novel you are writing or the elaborate expenses report your manager expects by the end of the month.

For these two main reasons, laptops and their data are one of the most wanted pray for regular thieves. The following guidelines outline few simple rules and recommendations that may prevent you from losing your system and data stored within.

• Use a system/domain password which contains more character types. A strong password should include a combination of at least 8 characters consisting of small letters, capitals, as well as special characters, such as p@SSw0rD2oo8. Also, do not use the same password or similar passwords to log on to your computer and to access the e-mail, e-banking or e-payment accounts.

• If you use Microsoft® Windows®, disable the Guest account and create access passwords for all the users registered within the same machine. Also, avoid using the Administrator account unless it is really necessary for system updates and special installations.

• If you do not use your laptop for a while, suspend the current session, either by locking your system or by logging off.

• Do not store within your laptop files containing user names, passwords, PINs or any other sensitive data which may grant access to your organization’s network or resources.

• Use an encryption method to prevent file access.

• Avoid storing on your laptop a large amount of sensitive data for a longer time frame. Download them at least once a month on a desktop system or transfer them on mobile storage media, such as CDs, DVDs, and Flash Disks etc.

• Periodically create backup copies for all the information and files you store on your laptop, on several media types (a DVD set and a Flash Disk).

• When travelling, try to carry your laptop in a briefcase which does not hold the laptop producer logo. Choose instead a bag or backpack with similar protection elements, but with a casual design.

• Avoid carrying your laptop when it is not really necessary. If possible, store the data you need on a CD, Flash Disk or memory card. Thus, you prevent laptop theft plus you can move around faster, saving time and energy. Plus, you could travel more freely, especially when you have to fly, avoiding a supplemental airport security check.

• Do not leave your laptop bag or briefcase locked in your car or in the car’s trunk. Take it with you and watch it all the time.

• Same advice when you go shopping: do not leave your laptop unattended in your shopping cart while you choose products from the shelf; those few seconds you read a label are more than sufficient to lose it for good. In the worst case, use the store’s lockers or luggage compartments or ask the store staff to deposit your laptop in a safe place during your visit.

• At the hotel, you can store your laptop in a safety-deposit or in the hotel vault.

• Subscribe to a laptop tracing and tracking service.

• If you are the victim of a theft, contact the authorities and provide a detailed description of the circumstances, while also specifying the exact laptop model and its features.

• Last but not least, use an integrated back-up solution to regularly check and update your files and data, such as those that BitDefender® provides.