Why laptop security is so important

Where to lock your laptop

It is important to find a secure, immovable object to attach your MicroSaver cable for the most effective defense against theft.

At your desk:
Most desks have pass-through holes for computer, electrical and phone cables. Put your MicroSaver cable through the pass-through hole and wrap it around the back of the desk or desk bracket.
If you cannot find a suitable place to wrap the cable, use AnchorPoint®, a metal screw-in plate that can be attached to any surface, to provide a secure anchor for your MicroSaver.

At your hotel, attach a MicroSaver®:
To the closet's clothing hanger bars
To the arms of the hotel room chair (but make sure they're big enough to resist breakage!)
To a bolted-down table
Through a drawer handle (make sure that it is strong enough to resist a strong pull!)

In your car, attach a MicroSaver®:
Around the steering wheel
Around the headrest attachment bars if the headrest is not detachable)
In the trunk, through the spare tire if it uses a locking mechanism
To the baby seat hook above the back seat
Around the seat belt loop in shoulder-belt seat belts (If possible, put your laptop in the trunk or below the seats so it is not visible)

At the airport, attach a MicroSaver®:
Around the bolted-down seats in waiting areas of most airports
Or use a Kensington MicroSaver Alarmed lock instead, for a motion detecting loud alarm, instead of a physical cable, to protect against theft

Using the Security Slot

Ever noticed that small slot on your laptop and wondered what it was for? Get the answer here, and find out how you can utilize your notebook's slot to help prevent your notebook getting stolen.

If your laptop or other device does not have a built in Kensington Security Slot click here to get the Kensington Security Slot Adaptor Kit.

What is The Slot?

The Security Slot is a specification designed by Kensington for the manufacturers of electronic/computing devices (like laptop computers, flat-screen monitors, projectors and cameras) to build into their products to accommodate a security cable. The slot itself looks like a small rectangular hole with rounded corners, about 7mm (just over 1/4 inch) long. Typically, manufacturers mark the slot with a Kensington lock logo (see below). Other manufacturers may use a chain logo for the same purpose, and still others include no marking next to the slot.

Where Do I Find the Slot?
On most laptop computers, the Slot is on the right-hand side of the computer near the back. Some manufacturers place it on the left-hand side near the back, or at the rear of the computer. Many manufacturers also include a Slot on the docking station and may position it so that when the slot is in use, the laptop is locked to the station.

On flat screen monitors, the security slot is usually found on the rear of the computer monitor, either near the base or on the top.

For the location of the Kensington Security Slot on other electronic devices, contact the manufacturer.

If your equipment does not have a Security Slot, you can use a Kensington Security Slot adapter kit.

How Do I use the Security Slot to Lock up my Laptop?
The Security Slot was designed by Kensington to be a perfect fit for the Kensington MicroSaver security cable. If you are unable to order a MicroSaver though your I.T./Security department at work, or if you would like a MicroSaver for home use, go to our products page to purchase one.

Kensington Security Slot Adapter Kit

Check to see if your laptop or other device has the Kensington Security Slot.

If your laptop or other device does not have a security slot, use the Kensington Security Slot Adaptor to ensure you can use the Kensington security cable. The adaptor kit will help you attach a Kensington Security Slot to your laptop, and other peripheral devices that do not already have Kensington's built-in Security Slot. Once you attach the Security Slot to your device, you will be able to use the Kensington security cable to protect your investment against theft.

Travel Security Tips

   Laptop Travelers Can Be an Easy Bull's-Eye for Sharp Thieves 
   Laptop Travelers Beware! 
   Love that Laptop? Keep it! 
   Car Smart Travel with Your Laptop 
   Is Your Data Priceless? Keep it Safe! 

Laptop Travelers Can Be an Easy Bull's-Eye for Sharp Thieves
Traveling with a laptop might be a necessity for road warriors, but what many don't realize is that laptops have an invisible bull's-eye painted right on them. Thieves work airports, hotels, office buildings and car rental agencies looking for their next bull's-eye score. You do not have to be one of them!

Following some simple steps can prevent your laptop from becoming a statistic.

1. Always keep your laptop in your sight and in front of you. Never put it to your side or on a luggage cart.
2. 
   Consider removing your laptop's hard drive and packing it separately. That laptop won't be much good without its internal hardware.
3. Carry your laptop in a nondescript bag, something that doesn't look like a computer case. The Kensington Contour Case is a good choice.

Staying in a hotel can make your laptop vulnerable to thieves so don't assume that it will be safe in your room while you are away. If leaving it in a hotel safe or baggage locker isn't possible, lock it up! A Kensington MicroSaver® is relatively easy to use and a huge prevention aid, especially to impulse theft. The six-foot cable wraps around an immovable object making it very difficult for it to just "walk away."

Laptop Travelers Beware!
Your laptop is a prime target for would-be thieves, especially when you travel. Keep it safe by making it as inconspicuous as possible - pack it in a brief case or ordinary piece of luggage.

Make a record of your laptop's serial number! Less than 10 percent of all stolen laptops can be recovered by the serial number because most people do not have a record of them. While you're at it, make a list of all software that is on your laptop. If possible, engrave your company's name and ID on your laptop.

Corporate IS departments should maintain an updated list of all equipment, software and an accurate list of all assignees, assigned equipment and the serial numbers.

Love that Laptop? Keep it!
Laptop computer theft is the most common type of computer crime. Lose that electronic marvel and it's 'bye-bye' to your database of clients and prospects, countless amounts of information, and who know what else.

So if you love it? lock it! If using a lock isn't practical, keep your eyes locked on it at all times. If you have to set it down, put it in front of you, not beside or behind you. Don't put it on a baggage cart.

Prime locations for thieves looking to steal your laptop include airports, car rental agencies, hotels, and office buildings with easily accessible conference rooms.

Car Smart Travel with Your Laptop
If taking your laptop along for the ride, travel smart with these tips:

Keep it locked and out of sight.
While riding, put your laptop between the driver's seat and the rear seat so it won't slide around.
Avoid leaving it in your car in very cold or very hot weather.
If you must leave it in your car, consider using a removable hard drive that can be stored separately. Or, lock the laptop to an immovable object inside your car with a Kensington Notebook Lock.
Disguise your laptop by putting it in a brief case or another more ordinary carryall.
Remember - a laptop can be sold for up to half of its market value, which makes it a very inviting target for theft. After all, few people carry the equivalent amount of money in their wallets, so laptops are a great return for the would-be thief's minimal investment.

Is Your Data Priceless? Keep it Safe!
Computer security is everyone's business, and preventing it is much easier than dealing with the aftermath of having your computer security breached. A recent survey shows that 41 percent of Fortune 1000 companies have experienced some sort of computer theft, both inside and outside the office.

While the equipment itself is expensive, the information stored on it can be priceless. And in the wrong hands, it can be devastating to a company, its employees and confidential clients. So the key is to think about security of the equipment as well as the information stored inside. Fortunately there are locking devices available to keep all your assets safe.

Protect your equipment by locking it up with a MicroSaver® Twin Notebook Lock by Kensington. This 7.5-foot cable allows you two options:

You can link up to two pieces together, making it difficult to carry off;
Or, you can anchor your equipment to an immovable object, thereby preventing theft.
Laptops can be secured with a MicroSaver®, which goes into the built-in slot on 99% of laptop computers.