Whether it is travel for business or pleasure being the victim of crime can ruin your trip. With people carrying their laptops with them everywhere they go it could not only ruin your trip but turn your life upside down for a long time.
According to the FBI a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds and traveling to another country an unattended laptop lying on a table, for only a minute, is an invitation to a thief.
With today’s technology thieves can access all of the data on your hard drive and extract the information. Add the fact that most personal computers have confidential data stored on them with no encryption and your personal life is now in the hands of the bad guys.
That’s right, all those passwords you stored on your computer. Your bank account, credit card info, copies of passports, client information, business data, personal correspondence, everything.
So what can you do to protect yourself from laptop theft?
- Avoid using Computer Bags. Computer bags just attract attention. Put the computer in your carryon bag when flying and when out use a more common bag or briefcase.
- Keep your Laptop with you at ALL times. Never put your laptop in your checked bags when flying. When traveling by vehicle keep it out of site or locked in the trunk. When you’re at the coffee shop don’t leave it on the table while you get that Latte, it will disappear. Always keep your eye on your laptop.
- Hotel Security. If you leave your laptop in your room then secure it. Use a cable lock and lock it to something secure. If you don’t have a cable lock then lock it away in your suitcase. When you’re out of the room put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Leave the TV turned on low so thieves will think the room is occupied.
- Use strong Passwords and Encryption. If a thief does steal your Laptop this may prevent or at least slow them down in having access to your data. Don’t use birthdays, or common things to generate your password, instead use a random password.
- Get an Encrypted USB Flash Drive. Use this to store all your personal data such as passwords, bank accounts, copies of passport, etc. This gets it off your laptop and adds a level of security to your important info.
- Use Laptop Anti-Theft Software. If the unthinkable happens and your Laptop gets stolen this can help you lock it down and possibly retrieve it. A free option and one of the best is Prey software. There is also a paid option with more features. Prey not only tracks your Laptop using GPS and Wi-Fi spots it also takes screenshots of what your thief is looking at on your system and takes a photo of them. You can access the report via the web and notify the police with evidence in hand.
You can never be 100% protected against crime but the key is to make it as difficult as possible for a thief to take your possessions. By taking some precautions you can lessen the chances of having your Laptop stolen on your travels.
D.J. - The World of Deej says
Great tips…I remember a few months back when a fellow blogger used Prey to track down his stolen laptop..in Panama!
thetravellingfool says
I remember that.Prey is a good system even if you opt fot the free version.
Mike Critchley says
Great post! And you have just inspired me to get some anti theft software. I work on the road and so my laptop is my life in more ways than one. I have been on the road for over a decade and have yet to have it stolen, but that’s just been luck. I have a cable lock I use to secure it to a table whenever I’m out and know that I might have to dash off to the loo — and still I’ll ask a staff to sit there and watch it. So I do pay attention…but it’s time to get that software.
Great post!
thetravellingfool says
Agree Like you and many others I can’t afford to lose my data.
Kristin Addis says
Scarrryyyyy. I know this is true but i kind of wish I hadn’t read it! On the road now.
thetravellingfool says
it’s best to take precautions.
Peter Lee says
Thanks for sharing this informative post. the tips you mentioned are quite useful because these days everyone carries expensive gadgets with them every time. I believe your tips are quite useful and practical, especially the tip to switch on your TV while you are way from your room sounds pretty useful.
Deb says
Great tips. It’s always stressful traveling with thousands of dollars of electronics. I spend most of my time worrying about what I’m carrying. If I didn’t have to use a laptop to make my living while traveling, I would never bring it with me. but that’s the way of the world these days, everyone is traveling with a laptop. Thanks for the reminder to be careful.
thetravellingfool says
And a little precaution goes a long way. Nothing like that sinking feeling when you notice your stuff is gone.
Alyson says
I like the sound of that Prey software, I didn’t know such a security system existed. Thanks!
thetravellingfool says
It works and the basic version is free, pretty much a no brainer.
Felix Lee says
Great tips. I’m paranoid about safety so I’m very cautious when I travel. Having my laptop stolen would be a nightmare. It’s a great idea to use an encrypted USB Flash Drive.
thetravellingfool says
Glad you found it useful.
Zubi Travel says
This is a great article, it should be one of the things you keep in ming when you plan a trip.
A good way to stay connected while traveling is using a tablet instead of a laptop, it’s easier to keep it on you at all times.
thetravellingfool says
When possible that is a good choice, however a lot of people need to have their laptops with them.
Graefyl says
God article. I never keep any files on my net-book when I travel (even locally). Because I write my own blog software etc., it’s all on my server. I’ve set it so I can upload my Photoshop files as well. A flash stick is there just for work, but it too has nothing on. Yeah it takes a bit longer, but at least if it gets lifted, my stuff is safe.
I realize not everyone can do this, but if you can store even your passwords and that inside a protected directory in say your CGI Bin, it’s a lot safer there than on your flash stick. Just grab the info and then do your banking etc. The only password I need is the one to my secure area and that’s in my head.
thetravellingfool says
good tip.