Can you imagine your life as a college student without your laptop? The person that steals it can. The University Police Department reported an increase in the number of incidents of laptop theft on campus last month.
A majority of these incidents occurred when students left their belongings unattended in the library or the Student Union. Lieutenant Josh Huffman warned, “Never leave your items unattended, not even for a second, because it only takes that second for them to be spotted and taken.”
With the economy suffering, the allure of pricey items, especially to thieves, is high. Used laptops go for between $100 and $500 on sites like eBay and Craigslist.
Without the proper precautions, once laptops are taken, little can be done to retrieve them. In fact, the FBI reports that 97% of stolen laptops are never recovered. Often features that distinguish laptops, like cases and covers, can be easily removed, making it impossible to identify.
With the proper preparation and precautions, laptop theft can be minimized and students can avoid the hassle of going a day without their electronic best friend. Students should never leave personal items unattended; it is easier to take them along than to try to locate them after they have been stolen. Treat laptops like cash. Imagine that the cost of the laptop was cash sitting on a table unattended, who would leave the money sitting there if no one was around?
Something students can also do if they must leave their laptop around is investing in a laptop leash and wrap it around the leg of the table or desk that the laptop is sitting on. The leash fits into most security slots on laptops, is virtually indestructible and has a resettable combination.
One can also download laptop alarm software that sets off a disturbing alarm anytime something out of the ordinary is done to the computer. For example, if the power supply is abruptly shut off, the LAlarm™ will sound, deterring a potential thief.
Lt. Huffman recommends the Computertrace® LoJack® computer security system. LoJack ®installs on your laptop and tracks its location at all times. If the laptop is stolen and used, the software reports the location of the laptop to a Monitoring Center. Even if the hard drive is taken, the necessary steps to retrieve the laptop begin. Lt. Huffman reports that the system has helped in the recovery of several laptops in the incidents on campus.
Do not leave laptops or any other pricey item visible in automobiles, dorm rooms or apartments. If laptops and other items must be left unattended, make sure all items are hidden from view and all doors are locked and secure.
Laptop theft prevention can be a tedious and costly process, but the benefits are well worth it. Many companies offer programs and software to aid in the prevention of laptop theft or return costly laptops. Take the time to research these programs and what you can do to make sure theft doesn’t happen to you.
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More information is available at www.stoptheft.com