Tips for Traveling With Your Laptop Computer

Thieves are everywhere, including New York City (although the crime rate here is lower than many people think). Thieves like cash, cameras and jewelry, of course, but they also really LOVE portable computers. We don’t go anywhere without at least one computer in tow, so we have picked up a few tips and ideas on how to protect it.

1. Always Lock It Up
Get a Kensington lock. It may not look like much, but it will really deter a thief or at least slow the thief down if he/she decides to go after your computer. The most important thing is that the cable be attached to something un-moveable. Attachment points you might consider in your hotel room are your bed, the pipes under the bathroom sink, or the base of the toilet.

2. Secure It in Your Car Trunk
The problem with locking your laptop in your hotel room is that it alerts the cleaning staff that your computer is something worth stealing. Instead, you might consider attaching the lock to the trunk door hinge and locking it in your car trunk (assuming that you have a car -- if you've flown into town, it might be easier just to use taxis and public transportation, since parking in NYC can be problematic). Be sure, of course, to park your car in a shady (i.e. cool) area, although your trunk and your computer case are likely to shield your computer from the heat.

3. Make It Your Constant Companion
Of course, whenever possible, you should keep your computer with you. This isn't difficult to do if the model you use is light and its case is comfortable to carry.

4. Consider Using the Hotel Safe
Many hotels make safes available in each room or at the front desk. Although most of these safes are not very large, we have found that they are generally roomy enough to provide a secure place that is large enough for the average laptop. Room safes with combination locks are preferable to those with keys, but since many hotels guarantee the security of your valuables (up to a certain dollar value) if you use the safe, you can be relatively certain that your computer is protected from the average criminal.

5. Exercise Extra Caution at the Security Gate
Many computers get stolen at airport x-ray machines (which, by the way, will not hurt your computer). If you are traveling alone, put the computer on the x-ray machine conveyor belt and then do not walk through the metal detector until the computer has passed well into the machine (i.e. out of the reach of a thief at the x-ray entry point). Once you go through the metal detector, quickly pick up the computer. If you set off the metal detector, keep walking anyway and pick up your laptop. Demand that one of the security people hold it while you go through the metal detector for a second time.

If you are traveling with someone else, the second person to go through security should hold the computer(s). Don’t put them on the belt until the first person has gone through and is ready to catch the computer(s) coming out of the x-ray machine.

You might also consider taking your hard drive out of your laptop and asking the security staff to hand check it. That way, if someone does walk off with your computer, you'll at least still have your data files.

6. Leave Your Laptop in Suspend Mode
Many airports will make you turn on the computer to prove it isn’t a bomb in disguise. If your computer is in suspend mode, you will save yourself a few minutes of waiting at the security area. This could be very key if you are running late. Also, the longer you are distracted by your computer, the easier it is for someone to steal your other luggage.

7. Protect Yourself With a Password
Always make use of password protection. If your data is the real goal of a thief, this will help protect your information. If they are just after your hardware, this will be your way of cheating them out of a victory at your expense.

8. Guard Your Connection
Never use the "save password" feature of any dialup connection. That way if someone steals your computer, they won't have instant access to your ISP or worse, your company data.

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