Microsoft Office

Locks

Back Up Your Data
In 2004, 59 percent of computer attacks in government agencies, corporations, and educational institutions in the United States were attributed to mobile PC theft.1 In the same year, mobile PC theft resulted in $6.7 million of losses.2 These statistics underscore the importance of regularly (optimally weekly, but at least monthly) archiving your documents, folders, and settings so that you can retrieve the data if your mobile PC is stolen or the hard disk drive fails. You can back up your data to a CD or DVD, to a USB flash card, or to another computer if your computer is on a network. To back up data, you can use the Backup utility in Microsoft Windows XP.

Encrypt Your Data
Data encryption provides a great line of defense against misuse of information if your mobile PC is stolen. Data encryption is the transcription of data from an intelligible format to an unintelligible, but decryptable, format. When encrypted, stolen data on a mobile PC is worthless.

You can encrypt a subset of files or folders or a full disk, in which case it protects the data stored in files and folders, the operating system, and any installed programs.

If you’re using Windows XP, you can use Encrypting File System (EFS) to encrypt your data, including Web folders and offline folders. EFS allows you to seamlessly encrypt your data. When you save data to the disk, it’s encrypted on the fly.

Important To use EFS, you must be using the NTFS file system. To find out the file system you’re using, click Start and point to My Computer. In the My Computer window, right-click the hard drive and check the File format field on the General tab of the Properties dialog box.

Use an Anti-Theft Device
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to secure your mobile PC is to use a security cable or lock, with or without an alarm, to attach your mobile PC to a stationery object. Most mobile PCs have security slots in the side or the back of their case.

Use a security cable or lock wherever you leave your mobile PC, such as a hotel room, a conference room, a co-worker’s office, or a tradeshow booth. Never leave a mobile PC in an unlocked room, even if you think that the room is secure. You can even use a cable to secure your mobile PC to your desk for additional security if you plan to leave your office without it for a few minutes or longer. Computer Security, FLEXGUARD, and Securityware are just a couple of companies that offer security cables and locks.

Get Insurance
Most homeowners, renters, and business insurance policies do not cover mobile PC damage or loss; and the few that do offer very limited coverage. If you travel frequently with your mobile PC, consider buying third-party insurance.

Some companies specialize in computer insurance. Rates vary widely depending on where you live and how much insurance you want.

Safeware is an insurance company that offers mobile PC insurance. Safeware’s policies cover theft, fire, power surges, lightning, spilled coffee on the keyboard, dropped mobile PCs, and natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. RC Knox & Company also offers insurance. You should check with your IT department to see if your company has a policy with an insurance agency.