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*Computer Security Tip

December 13, 2007 on 10:53 pm | In ~SMALL BUSINESS~, ~TECH TIPS~ |

The following is a tip submitted by a reader:

If you are especially good, Santa may bring you a brand new laptop computer in a few weeks. Or perhaps you already have one. In any case, laptops require some additional safety measures, beyond the usual security programs that protect you on the Internet.

You may have specifically insured the notebook against loss or theft. But did you insure against loss of all your programs? Or files and data? The software and files could be worth far more than the actual computer . What about photos and videos? Are you making regular backups of all your data? Or at least the most important files and folders? If not, get an inexpensive thumb drive or external hard drive that plugs into a USB port, and get busy.

Is your laptop going to suffer rough handling and get knocked about? If so, look for a ruggedized machine that is specifically built to take it. Do you often eat and drink while slaving away over a hot computer , spilling stuff onto the keyboard? Fear not; some IBM ThinkPads are built to take this kind of abuse without missing a beat, so look for them.

Now the big one: Theft. It is a big problem with laptops, for obvious reasons. These machines are popular and easy to resell, so here are a few things you can do. Look for a notebook with built-in tracking software. Whenever you are online, the program sends out a signal to the company’s monitoring station, giving its location. If you report the laptop as stolen, it can be traced.

Another way to protect your notebook is to get a cable lock that fits in that security slot, or hole, on your machine. This is a quick and easy way to secure your machine in a public place if you need to nip out for a coffee. There are other devices that attach to that security slot, such as motion detectors. If the laptop is moved, the alarm goes off. Ask about these accessories at your favorite electronics shop.

In a public place, your best bet is probably to try and keep your laptop in view at all times. Keep your security software up to date, including Windows. If you connect wirelessly, make sure you have proper encryption set up. Do not just use the default settings your router came with; this probably provides little or no protection.

Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online. He has been keeping Internet surfers safe and secure since the last century. Find out how he does it; secure your owncomputer with five layers of
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