subject: How to Safeguard Your Laptop Computer when Travelling [print this page] How to Safeguard Your Laptop Computer when Travelling
The FBI estimates there were 1.5 million laptops stolen world-wide in 2004. Many of these were lost or stolen through carelessness. I have walked down a business street and have seen several cars with laptop cases sitting on the frontor back seats. How dumb can the owners be?
Then, there are the laptops stolen literally from under your nose. I had an experience at the train station in Rome. My wife and I had arrived after a tiring trip and had our baggage at our feet wihile we were determining the next leg of our journey. A man approached and asked if we "parle voused Francais", to which we replied no. He then asked if we spoke German and then Spanish. I was getting ready to tell him to take a hike when he shrugged his shoulders and walked away. A minute later, we began gathering our baggage to move on when we discovered my laptop bag, that contained my laptop, two pairs of glasses, our intinerary information and numerous other small belongings, was gone. This guy had been a distraction for a partner who had walked behind us, picked up the computer bag and walked off. In this case, I was dumb! Had I followed my own advice, it would not have happened.
The year before, my lawyer was at the Rome airport buying a ticket with his bags at his feet and after his purchase discovered his laptop was gone. Stolen literally from under his nose.
There are several very simple low-tech methods for reducing this kind of theft or minimzing your loss.
When you are standing around or riding on a train or bus, put your foot inside the strap. As long as your foot is on the ground, your laptop bag won't go anywhere without you knowing about it.
Dont't use a laptop bag. It identifies the fact that you are carrying a laptop. Carry your laptop in a beat up old backpack. You can buy the a foam sleeve that protects your computer.
Dont' leave your laptop in hotel rooms. Todays laptops are light and easily carried. Put it in your backpack.
Have a sturdy strap sewn onto your laptop backpack bag. Attache the otherend to your belt.
Never leave your laptop in standby mode when travelling. If it is stolen, the thieves have to get past your password. Don't make things easy for them.
There is software you can buy that tracks your laptop when it goes on-line. Nothing is fail-safe but something is better than nothing.
Finally, don't trust anyone with your belongings. We had our camera stolen at the security check at international airport in Seoul.
