10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling
These days, we Geeks don’t travel anywhere without our laptops. It’s a given that we need to have them on us! How would we survive?! Thankfully, Seth sent in the following tips to help us keep them safe while we are on the road.
- Pad The Laptop: Make sure the laptop bag or carrying case you transport your laptop in provides adequate padding. As you move about the airport or shove the laptop under the seat in front of you or into the overhead storage compartment, the laptop can be jarred and jostled quite a bit.
- Keep It On You: It is not uncommon for someone to set their luggage down while standing in line for a muffin, or to sit down while waiting for a flight. With all luggage, it is important to keep an eye on it and ensure nobody tampers with it or steals it. Because of their size and value though, laptops make prime targets and a thief can snatch the laptop bag and keep walking while you are unaware with your back turned. You should keep the laptop bag on your shoulder or keep it in sight at all times.
- Back Up Data: Perform a backup of all critical or sensitive data before departing. Just in case your laptop does become damaged or lost, you don’t want to also lose your important files and information. You can buy a new laptop, but it is much harder to replace lost data.
- Encrypt Your Data: Just in case your laptop should fall into unauthorized hands, you should make sure your hard drive is encrypted. Laptops with Windows Vista Enterprise or Ultimate come equipped with BitLocker drive encryption. If you aren’t using one of these versions of Windows Vista, and your company has not implemented any other sort of enterprise-wide encryption solution, you can use an open source solution such as TrueCrypt to protect your data.
- Document Identifying Information: In case your laptop does end up lost or stolen, you should be able to provide detailed information about the make, model, serial number and any other identifying information. You may need the information to file a claim with the airline or your insurance company, or to provide law enforcement.
- Use a BIOS Password: Protecting your laptop with an operating system login and password is a good idea, but there are ways to circumvent that protection and gain access to the data still. For better protection, you should enable password protection at the BIOS level so that the laptop can not even be turned on without the correct password.
- Implement Remote Data Protection: Another step you can take to make sure your data does not fall into the wrong hands is to look into products that will allow you to remotely destroy or erase the data on your laptop if it is lost or stolen. These products generally require that the unauthorized user connect to the Internet first in order for them to do their work though, so they are not a guarantee.
- Use Portable Storage: To make sure you have the business critical PowerPoint presentation or Excel spreadsheet that you need to show your business partners in order to seal the multi-million dollar deal (or whatever other important files and documents might be on your laptp) you should carry a copy on a USB thumb drive or some other type of portable storage that you can carry separate from the laptop in case it becomes lost or stolen.
- Just Leave The Laptop At Home: When it comes to all of the hassles and all of the issues that can arise from traveling with your laptop, you should also consider whether you really need to take it. You can carry your data or files on portable storage such as a CD, DVD or USB drive, or you can just email or FTP the data ahead of you. Then, you can borrow a desktop or laptop system once you are safely on the ground and at the office site you are visiting.
Use Strong Passwords: Follow the advice in Passwords and How to Make Them to make sure that your passwords can not be easily guessed or cracked if your laptop falls into the wrong hands. An excellent program for helping to secure and manage your passwords is Password Vault, which works for both Windows and Mac OS X.
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46 Comments
Collin
October 23rd, 2008
at 4:08am
You forgot the most important one. Don’t Drop it.
dariosantacruz
October 23rd, 2008
at 4:14am
Nice tips, but i don’t find the logic on encrypting the complete drive and have a copy on a thumb drive, they can easily still the thumb drive
Brennan Muir
October 23rd, 2008
at 7:02am
wow, great tips. I make sure that whenever I do homework on my laptop I back it up a USB drive incase I loose the paper I can print another @ school or even when I can’t bring the computer
How to Keep Your Laptop Safe While Traveling
October 23rd, 2008
at 2:08pm
[...] to Keep Your Laptop Safe While Traveling Thursday, October 23, 2008 “10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe When Traveling” by tech blogger Chris Pirillo is a collection of helpful notes for preventing your laptop [...]
Game Invasion
October 24th, 2008
at 1:28am
Chris Pirillo The Wonderful World of Geeks10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when TravelingWhat is Your Favorite Type of Dog? John Malkin - Vocal Joystick Ethan Katz-Bassett - The Hubble Project
Laptops: Keep Your Laptop Safe When Travelling
October 24th, 2008
at 1:52pm
[...] is more specifically your concern, check out our guide to setting up a laptop security system. 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling [Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and Computing] Read More: DIY Coat Hanger Laptop Stand, The Ultimate [...]
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October 24th, 2008
at 1:56pm
[...] is more specifically your concern, check out our guide to setting up a laptop security system. 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling [Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and [...]
Planet ebf
October 24th, 2008
at 2:03pm
[...] is more specifically your concern, check out our guide to setting up a laptop security system. 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling [Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and [...]
Admiral Ackbar
October 24th, 2008
at 2:34pm
Don’t Brink your Hip-Top on planes ….. ITS A TRAP !!!!!!
THNX FOR DA TIPS
Keep Your Laptop Safe When Travelling - Lifehacker Australia
October 24th, 2008
at 3:15pm
[...] is more specifically your concern, check out our guide to setting up a laptop security system. 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling [Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and [...]
Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe while Traveling | The Notebook Computer Lock Blog
October 24th, 2008
at 3:49pm
[...] Blogger Chris Pirillo just released an interesting article containing 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling. [...]
McColley.net » Blog Archive » Keep Your Laptop Safe When Travelling [Laptops]
October 24th, 2008
at 5:40pm
[...] is more specifically your concern, check out our guide to setting up a laptop security system. 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling [Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and [...]
Monk
October 24th, 2008
at 6:13pm
Those are really good tips to follow, especially the bios password. I have that set up on my laptop so that even if a small child somehow gets near the laptop, it will still be well protected.
erillanos
October 24th, 2008
at 6:56pm
Great tips for when i travel with
my laptop.
I completely forgot about doing these
the last time i traveled.
Thanks for the great tips
msft
October 24th, 2008
at 8:01pm
.10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling[Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and Computing]
mattman
October 24th, 2008
at 8:01pm
well i think they are great 5 tips i will defenetly use them when i get my macbook but for now i will be a pc.
Beyond... The Black Stump
October 24th, 2008
at 8:37pm
These days, we Geeks don’t travel anywhere without our laptops. It’s a given that we need to have them on us! How would we survive?! Thankfully, Seth sent in the following tips to help us keep them safe while we are on the road.10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling
Natenixon
October 24th, 2008
at 8:42pm
i wish i knew before i found a crack screen coming home from NY
Stephan Lamprechts Notizen
October 25th, 2008
at 2:00am
10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling ~ Chris Pirillo
biffbiffley
October 25th, 2008
at 2:49am
Not necessialry on the USB drive..
take a look at this for example.> :D
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/99f1/
IF it’s good enough for the military it’s good enough for me.
John
October 25th, 2008
at 4:15am
Or you could just paste your needed files up there in the clouds where it’s available everywhere.
Supples’ Pub
October 25th, 2008
at 6:06am
10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling ~ Chris Pirillo
BJB
October 25th, 2008
at 8:23am
You left off an obvious one: use a laptop security cable. I use the Targus Defcon CL which is a combination lock. I secure my laptop to an immovable piece of furniture when I leave my hotel room. It won’t stop a determined thief, but it’ll stop a grab and run type theft. Best solution is to lock your laptop in your room safe when you must leave it behind.
OverSoft
October 25th, 2008
at 12:09pm
I use remote desktop everywere i go.
My notebook (a MacBook Air) doesn’t contain a lot of useful data for people to use, but only contains a couple of movies (to keep me busy while traveling) and a remote desktop client.
I just logon to my work-server at home and can work from all over the world.
Luckily, RDP isn’t a very bandwidth intensive protocol when configured properly, so i worked via UMTS when i was in Portugal this summer and i worked via WiFi when i was visiting the Waldorff Astoria in New York.
No need for carying data around with you, when you can just access it everywhere, anytime.
David
October 25th, 2008
at 1:59pm
Maybe even a padded hardcase with a lock option to keep it safe when in the hotel room or something.
james
October 25th, 2008
at 5:57pm
i can’t get over how many people set their bags and cases NEXT to them in lines at airport or train station coffee shops, or waiting to check in. (on the outside of security)
I keep mine in front of me or between my legs at all times
james…
arturogoga - tecnologia para todos
October 25th, 2008
at 7:46pm
LinkContinua leyendo…
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October 26th, 2008
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[...] ir jame esančia informaciją man tikrai labai svarbu. O čia, kaip tik ta tema radau visai gerą straipsnelį su patarimais kaip tai padaryti, tik norėčiau tuos patarimus sudėlioti kita tvarka,kiek [...]
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October 26th, 2008
at 6:32am
10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling ~ Chris Pirillo
Futurelawyer: 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling ~ Chris Pirillo
October 27th, 2008
at 5:13am
[...] 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling ~ Chris Pirillo. Lawyers are just as mobile as other professionals. Traveling nowadays demands a laptop computer; [...]
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October 27th, 2008
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October 27th, 2008
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October 27th, 2008
at 6:24pm
[...] of Lifehacker, Chris Pirillo’s ten suggestions for keeping your laptop safe. I spend a lot of time at campus and in coffee shops. This coming winter break and spring, I [...]
Javatyger's Tech Blog
October 27th, 2008
at 8:37pm
to rundown to make sure you’re doing everything you can. In general the post covers broad tips for keeping your laptop safe, but if theft protection is more specifically your concern, check out our guide to setting up a laptop security system.10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Traveling[Chris Pirillo via Of Zen and Computing] Sent from my iPhone
The Connected Lawyer » Keeping Your Notebook Safe
October 28th, 2008
at 8:06pm
[...] Pirillo provides 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe When Traveling. My two favorites [...]
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October 29th, 2008
at 1:29am
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October 29th, 2008
at 9:12am
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October 29th, 2008
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Friedbeef’s Tech | Solving Everyday Problems With Simple Technology - Freeware, Productivity, Useful Tips & More
November 3rd, 2008
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11. How to ensure your laptop travels well Laptops are not the most. Check out Chris Pirillo’stop tips to keep your notebook safe while traveling. Here are some of my favorites from that list: Document Identifying Information: In case your laptop does end up lost or stolen, you should be able to provide detailed information about the make, model, serial number and any other identifying
Questing for Adventure
November 5th, 2008
at 12:33pm
This doesn’t fit very well with my recent revelation that I should be taking a laptop if I want to blog on the go, but I have toagree with Chris Pirilloon his final tip for keeping your laptop safe while traveling: Just Leave The Laptop At Home: When it comes to all of the hassles and all of the issues that can arise from traveling with your laptop, you should also consider whether you really need to
Vagabondish | The Travelzine for Today’s Vagabond
November 14th, 2008
at 3:29pm
Mexico City to Distribute Free ViagraOh the jokes practically write themselves, eh? Bolivia’s Witches’ Market: Llama Foetuses and Dried ArmadillosJust plain strange.10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when TravelingIf you must bring a laptop … China to Classify Internet Addiction as an Official Disorder [News]Americans - all too eager to classify everything as an addiction - are only angry that another country beat us to the punch.
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November 19th, 2008
at 10:40pm
Implement Remote Data Protection Use Portable Storage Just Leave The Laptop At Home Source: 10 Tips to Keep Your Notebook Safe when Travelling ~ Chris Pirillo Site:http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/10/23/10-tips-to-keep-your-notebook-safe-when-traveling/
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December 14th, 2008
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Bend Blogs
December 17th, 2008
at 11:06pm
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Computer Rental Company
March 17th, 2009
at 3:55am
Helpful tips you got here!
Some of us if not many of us could not perform our jobs or tasks well without the aid of laptops. That is why it is usual for a modern man to carry their laptops wherever they go. But in terms of traveling far away from home is totally a different story. The hassles of packing it up and carrying it together with your other staffs is a hassle. However, there is a growing rate of computer rentals company found across different continent. They might be able to help you in your computer needs while traveling in foreign lands.