Thread: 5 Tips to secure your Laptop Data

There is a reason why laptops are stolen more than desktops. People move them around more than desktops and there is a greater possibility that there will be more sensitive information especially company information on them than a desktop. So it’s about time that you secure your laptop data.

Even if your computer is stolen you will have the piece of mind that its data will be untouchable by those who stole it.

Encrypt Your Data

If you have Window’s Vista Business, Ultimate or Window’s XP Professional than you have the option for 128bit encryption as well as a whole host of other features that come standard with your OS.

It’s to your best interest to use these as they are nearly government grade. In fact the FBI and CIA have still not been able to crack many computers of criminals with this level of encryption. While not fool proof it’s still your best option and it comes standard with your qualifying OS.

LoJack

You’ve heard of it before, the program that promises to locate your computer if it is actually stolen. Well guess what? It actually works, and it’s pretty inexpensive depending on how much you value your notebook and or the information on it.

LoJack is usually sold with new systems but can be bought separately also.

USB Key

This is probably the most fun and maybe problematic solution. But it can also be the best. If you have an old USB key lying around the place (you can always buy a new one if you have to), convert it into a USB key.

Just like those cool computers you see in the movies and of course government types, your computer will not start unless the USB is present (meaning its occupying one of the USB ports).

Just make sure that you keep one or two spare keys just in case you should misplace the first one.

GPS Unit

This is one of the more expensive options and might require the most configurations. But this is the best option if you plan on actually retrieving your stolen system.

If your computer has an unused port you can buy a GPS unit that will relay the computers position to either a handheld or desktop computer. Most thieves will not be aware that the unit is present and with the help of the police you should be able to recover your notebook in the quickest time it takes the cops to get to the location.

Company Based Encryption

Most naturally this will apply only to those who have a company laptop or one that has company sensitive data on their system. In any case check with those in your companies IT department. Most naturally if they do care about the companies’ security they will be more than willing to install programs and lock hard drives on the computer so that the information cannot be accessed even if the hard drive is connected to another computer.

thanks for this great tips.
But in my country, it's not the data that stolen, it's the laptop that mostly stolen :)

I didn't knew about this ideas. I just use a good antivirus, System Back up instead of loss of data, and USB-cillin to block viruses from pen drives. My laptop is so secure. I don't want to go complex. Instead I shall keep it simple as this is my personal laptop. Anyways, great post. This shall be of great help for corporate people.

Originally Posted by alec11

thanks for this great tips.
But in my country, it's not the data that stolen, it's the laptop that mostly stolen :)

lol..... ....

Originally Posted by masterweb

There is a reason why laptops are stolen more than desktops. People move them around more than desktops and there is a greater possibility that there will be more sensitive information especially company information on them than a desktop. So it’s about time that you secure your laptop data.

Even if your computer is stolen you will have the piece of mind that its data will be untouchable by those who stole it.

Encrypt Your Data

If you have Window’s Vista Business, Ultimate or Window’s XP Professional than you have the option for 128bit encryption as well as a whole host of other features that come standard with your OS.

It’s to your best interest to use these as they are nearly government grade. In fact the FBI and CIA have still not been able to crack many computers of criminals with this level of encryption. While not fool proof it’s still your best option and it comes standard with your qualifying OS.

LoJack

You’ve heard of it before, the program that promises to locate your computer if it is actually stolen. Well guess what? It actually works, and it’s pretty inexpensive depending on how much you value your notebook and or the information on it.

LoJack is usually sold with new systems but can be bought separately also.

USB Key

This is probably the most fun and maybe problematic solution. But it can also be the best. If you have an old USB key lying around the place (you can always buy a new one if you have to), convert it into a USB key.

Just like those cool computers you see in the movies and of course government types, your computer will not start unless the USB is present (meaning its occupying one of the USB ports).

Just make sure that you keep one or two spare keys just in case you should misplace the first one.

GPS Unit

This is one of the more expensive options and might require the most configurations. But this is the best option if you plan on actually retrieving your stolen system.

If your computer has an unused port you can buy a GPS unit that will relay the computers position to either a handheld or desktop computer. Most thieves will not be aware that the unit is present and with the help of the police you should be able to recover your notebook in the quickest time it takes the cops to get to the location.

Company Based Encryption

Most naturally this will apply only to those who have a company laptop or one that has company sensitive data on their system. In any case check with those in your companies IT department. Most naturally if they do care about the companies’ security they will be more than willing to install programs and lock hard drives on the computer so that the information cannot be accessed even if the hard drive is connected to another computer.

Yeah it's really important to protect one's sensitive data not to be revealed or even misused... Laptop is easy to carry, therefore it's easier to be stolen than desktop, I do agree that we better make it more secure for the personal data... What is USB key? To start the windows I need to use a USB? Do you mean this? And what is GPS? I think it's for driving? We can set a start up password to protect the system not to be used by others, is it not enough?

if desktop it is harder other bring it to other palce and steal the info,... this is important (especailly for labtop)

Desk is more safe maybe, if it's placed inside home... And if it's in campus or any public place that's also a big problem... Yes it's important to secure the laptop, since it's so easy to be taken away, maybe it's better if someone invents some alarm system for laptop, whenever some stranger takes it away it will ring alarm like the car, haha! :)

if it's in campus or any public place, then it will not my personal computer, i won't leave any data on the public computer, i will delete all files at recycle bin, clean cookies, history etc.