Theft of Laptop Computers

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Theft of Laptop Computers
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Theft of Laptop Computers

• It is estimated by Safeware Insurance
  (specializes in insuring computers) that over
  320,000 laptop computers worth over 1.25 billion
  were stolen in the U.S. last year.
• Laptops have become the CB radio of today, with
  one important difference - their popularity will
  continue to increase.

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• The theft of desktop PCs has fallen in recent
  years while the theft of laptops has increased.

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Recent Notable Incidents

• Theft of State Department laptop with important
  top secrets
• Theft of Qualcomm CEO - left laptop unattended
  for 15 minutes on a hotels podium at a national
  conference
• In March, 2000, a laptop containing sensitive
  data about Northern Ireland was stolen from an
  agent of Britains MI5 internal security bureau

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• Thieves used glass cutters to enter the
  ground-floor office of a major airline at night
  and stole 22 Toshiba Corp. laptops worth 75,000
• In Tennessee, armed robbers stole 350 laptops
  worth 770,000 from a truck driver
• Safeware estimates that 15-20 billion in data
  and information is lost annually due to laptop
  thefts.

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Vulnerable Locations

• Company Offices
• Airports
• Hotels and Conference Centers
• Colleges and Universities
• Libraries
• Hospitals

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Laptop Security Strategies

• Record the make, model and serial number of the
  laptop and any peripheral attached devices and
  return the completed warranty card to the
  manufacturer. Keep these numbers in a wallet or
  purse.

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• Identify the computer - engrave social security
  number.
• Back-up files in your laptop on a regular basis
  or download critical files to your desktop
  computer or server.

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• If privately owned, make sure the laptop is
  covered by the homeowners insurance policy. A
  rider or special insurance policy may be needed.
  Safeware Insurance Company offers such coverage.
• A unique marking product, which includes a stolen
  registry service, is offered by Lightguardian. A
  special adhesive sticker is placed on the
  computer. If removed, the text STOLEN PROPERTY,
  CALL is displayed on the computer in the form
  of tattoo.

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Laptop Security on the Road

• Keep a laptop in a satchel, briefcase or other
  nondescript bag.
• Never leave a laptop visible in an unattended
  motor vehicle.
• When traveling by taxi, shuttle bus or public
  transportation, keep your laptop with you at all
  times

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Laptop Security at the Airport

• Keep your laptop as a carry-on. Place it in the
  under-seat storage area, if possible.
• In the airport, always keep your laptop within
  your sight line.
• Places you can lose your laptop in an airport
• At the curbside check-in, when you turn away from
  your baggage to pay the taxi, deal with the
  check-in procedures or even saying goodbye.

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• At a rental car check-in counter.
• While engrossed in a telephone conversation
• While paying the cashier at an airport lounge or
  restaurant
• As you sleep or read a newspaper between flights.
• In a crowded restroom
• At the x-ray conveyer

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Laptop Security at Hotels and Conference Centers

• Dont place your laptop on the bellmans cart
• Dont rely upon hotel or conference staff to lock
  up a meeting room during a lunch break
• Stay only in hotels that use card-activated locks
  for room entry doors
• Use the hotel safe to protect your laptop while
  you are away from your room
• If you leave your laptop in your room, dont
  advertise its presence -store it out of sight in
  luggage.

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Systems for Protecting Laptops

• Cables Locking Systems -cables are attached to
  the security slots provided in most laptops.
  Anchor the laptop to a table or desk with the
  cable.

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• Alarm Devices
• Two units - one in the laptop case and the other
  carried by the owner. There are RF transmissions
  between the two units. If the units are
  separated beyond a predetermined distance, an
  alarm sounds.
• Motion detection alarm systems - only applicable
  in those situations where laptop is stationary.

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• Theft Retrieval Programs
• Similar to LoJack
• Stealth software is loaded into the laptop -
  detects presence of a telephone line and
  periodically dials an 800 number to report its
  serial number and the phone number it is calling
  from.

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• CompuTrace - initial cost is 30.00 with annual
  cost of 50.00
• Sofware is undetectable and tamper-resistantComp
  uter Security Products, Inc.P.O. Box
  7544Nashua, NH 03060Telephone (800)
  466-7636Fax [phone]www.computersecurity.
  com

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• CyberAngel - Alerts unauthorized access to the
  computer/Locks communication ports to prevent
  access to the Internet/Notifies monitoring center
  from where the computer has called.www.sentryinc
  .com

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• Stolen Computer Registry - Nacomex USA will
  publish the serial number on a stolen computer
  registry - buyers, sellers, insurers, law
  enforcement can use this service.

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• Intel has developed a system called Intel
  Protected Access Architecture (IPAA), that
  requires the users to identify themselves via
  biometric devices such as fingerprint scanners
  before the operating system is loaded.

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THANK YOU