IT Security - laptops (or why make it easy for the bad guys?)
Posted by Daryl Rinaldi on Sun, Dec 20, 2009 @ 12:47 PM
Did you know according to a recent study by Dell and the Poneman Institute that:
- Up to 12,000 laptops are lost or stolen in U.S. airports each week.
- Between 65 and 70 percent of lost laptops are never reclaimed.
Think any important, sensitive business data could be on those laptops? Yea, me too. OK even though I'm sure this could never happen to you (ahem) here are 4 quick tips from our friends at Sunbelt Software makers of our absolute favorite Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware Program VIPRE, about how to protect yourself just in case...
- Computrace: If you are familiar with LoJack for your car there is one available for your laptop as well. Computrace LoJack for Laptops by Absolute Software is a software-based theft recovery service. It tracks and locates stolen computers and lets you remotely wipe all data from the hard drive.
- Passwords, Passwords, Passwords: Pretty commonsense advice here: Don't make them short and simple (Think pass-phrase, not pass-word); change them regularly, and don't share them with strangers. Be sure your laptop requires a password or a fingerprint scan to log on. We strongly suggest you automate and secure the many passwords you use with my personal #1 favorite piece of software ever: RoboForm. RoboForm encrypts and stores all your passwords for you so you only have to remember 1 password and it remembers all the rest. Cool huh?
- Be Watchful: Observe your surroundings. I don't mean to sound paranoid but there are serious thieves who specialize in stealing laptops (especially when going through airport security). Watch for those watching you. You don't have to be weird about it, just stay alert.
- Not All Wi-Fi Is Created Equal: Look for legitimate hotspots and not fall prey to some nefarious doings. It is better to pay a fee and be safe than try to log in where you don't belong. Better yet get an aircard for your PC that lets you get online using the cell phone network anywhere that gets reception -no more hunting around for a wi-fi hotspot!