Stop Computer Theft
Laptop theft is on the rise. Sadly, the majority of stolen laptops are never found. As you can guess, the ever-popular Macs are one of the prime targets.
How do you protect yourself? The most important actions must be taken before your laptop is ever stolen.
First, think about your data. For many of you, your data is more valuable than the computer itself. So, you must frequently backup to an external hard drive or a cloud based service like ClouDox. This helps ensure that your data is backed up and can be restored if needed.
How do you protect yourself? The most important actions must be taken before your laptop is ever stolen.
First, think about your data. For many of you, your data is more valuable than the computer itself. So, you must frequently backup to an external hard drive or a cloud based service like ClouDox. This helps ensure that your data is backed up and can be restored if needed.
To physically protect your laptop, our first recommendation is actually quite low tech. Get a lock. Criminals called “apple pickers” are brazen and have been known to snatch laptops from public places. Apple computers come with a special slot called a Kensington Security Slot. It’s a reinforced metal slot that allows you to attach a locking security cable to your computer. You can loop this cable to something substantial like a table. A thief will likely choose a different target if they see a lock and chain securing your laptop. Click here for one example of a lock.
There are also several high tech geolocation solutions, all which must be installed before a theft occurs. With the Find My Mac feature you can pinpoint your laptop’s location and lock and delete your data remotely. But, Find My Mac only works if you have enabled the laptop’s location services, if the computer is physically turned on, and if it is connected to the internet.
For more thorough protection, there are several reliable third-party theft protection services. They all use geolocation to find a missing laptop, lock or delete the laptop’s data, and can even take screenshots and photos of the person using your laptop.
These services are all quite affordable. The most popular ones are Prey, Hidden, Undercover and LoJack.
Prey, which has a good track record for accuracy, even has a free online open-source alternative. Hidden starts at $15 a year for one machine, with up to five licenses for $45 a year. Undercover is $49 a year for one computer and $59 to protect up to five computers. LoJack is $50 a year and comes with a guarantee.
The services that cost a few dollars more usually have some very clever added theft-protection features or a financial guarantee. LoJack even includes a dedicated theft recovery team that works with local law enforcement to track a stolen laptop.
Whatever steps you choose to take to protect yourself, do them now. It will be too late once your laptop has been stolen.
For questions about data protection and laptop security, please contact us at 888-813-5558.
There are also several high tech geolocation solutions, all which must be installed before a theft occurs. With the Find My Mac feature you can pinpoint your laptop’s location and lock and delete your data remotely. But, Find My Mac only works if you have enabled the laptop’s location services, if the computer is physically turned on, and if it is connected to the internet.
For more thorough protection, there are several reliable third-party theft protection services. They all use geolocation to find a missing laptop, lock or delete the laptop’s data, and can even take screenshots and photos of the person using your laptop.
These services are all quite affordable. The most popular ones are Prey, Hidden, Undercover and LoJack.
Prey, which has a good track record for accuracy, even has a free online open-source alternative. Hidden starts at $15 a year for one machine, with up to five licenses for $45 a year. Undercover is $49 a year for one computer and $59 to protect up to five computers. LoJack is $50 a year and comes with a guarantee.
The services that cost a few dollars more usually have some very clever added theft-protection features or a financial guarantee. LoJack even includes a dedicated theft recovery team that works with local law enforcement to track a stolen laptop.
Whatever steps you choose to take to protect yourself, do them now. It will be too late once your laptop has been stolen.
For questions about data protection and laptop security, please contact us at 888-813-5558.