Protect Your Laptop from Theft
How to Protect Your Laptop
At home...
Keep your laptop out of view from open windows. Consider storing your laptop in a drawer or other less visible location when not in use. You'll be helping to protect the rest of your home by keeping attractive theft items out of view.
In your car...
Always keep your laptop or briefcase out of view. Use the trunk if you have one. If not, place something over your bag/laptop like a floor mat, jacket, or other (lightweight) items. Or, better yet, take your briefcase with you!
In cafes...
A mini-epidemic of cafe laptop thefts hit Berkeley and Oakland last year and they still happen sporadically. When sitting in outdoor areas, consider not sitting in the seats closest to the sidewalk or other access ways. Reminder: Never ever put yourself in harms way to protect property.
At the airport...
At the TSA checkpoint, always put your laptop through last (after all your other stuff is already on the belt). Look ahead to the line of people going through the metal detector and try to time it so that you can get through quickly to your laptop and other belongings. Consider putting an identifying sticker on your laptop so that you can easily see it at the security check point.
In hotel rooms...
Use the hotel room safe if your hotel has one (make sure your computer is asleep, because it could overheat in the safe if it's on). If your hotel room doesn't have a safe, place your laptop inside your luggage and make sure your luggage is zipped up and closed. A tsa-friendly lock adds another layer of security.
At conferences...
Always keep your laptop with you. There is no such thing as a secure place to leave your laptop at a conference.
On campus...
Store your laptop inside a locked office, inside a drawer or other storage location.
