Travelers lugging laptop computers worry about losing them, with good reason. The hardware is worth hundreds or thousands of dollars, and lost or stolen data could be priceless. But safeguarding your machine is no cinch. • It takes just a moment to lose your laptop. But by taking precautions, you can reduce the chances and minimize your loss. Here are some tips from several experts, including Luke M. Ford, founder and chief executive of My Computer Works, and the Transportation Security Administration, on keeping your laptop safe. Los Angeles Times Tie it up and lock it up: Would you leave your wallet or purse in full view in a hotel room? Secure the laptop to the desk with a security cable, which many newer computers have fittings for.
Travel incognito: Carry your computer in an inconspicuous bag, not one that screams, "I have a $2,500 piece of machinery in here!" But don't go entirely undercover. TSA employees suggest taping a business card, or at least your name and phone number, to the bottom of your laptop. That helps anyone who finds your lost computer to return it.
Take care at airport checkpoints: To thwart thieves, walk through the metal detector before your computer goes through the scanner. Retrieve it immediately.
Avoid fumbling by using what the TSA calls a "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag or compartment, which gives X-ray machines a clear view. For details on this new option, visit www.tsa.gov and search for "laptop."
As with any valuable, never pack your computer in check-in luggage.
Get password-protected: Require a password to log onto your laptop. It's not foolproof, but it might thwart a casual data thief.
Be wary of wireless: In a study released in September by Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y., researcher Josh Ogle said it took him just minutes to hack into transmissions on wireless networks in lobbies and restaurants at many hotels, using less than $100 worth of equipment he ordered on the Internet.
When you're working wireless, avoid transactions that involve credit cards or other confidential information. If possible, use a virtual private networkthat encrypts data. Make sure your firewall software is current.
Don't trust your neighbor: It doesn't always take technology to steal passwords and other private data. Anyone sitting next to you can steal a glance at your computer screen. Guard the view.
Go remote: Back up your files on discs, flash drives or Web sites so you can retrieve them if your laptop crashes or disappears. Many companies provide remote backup services for fees.
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