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There’s always a risk for personal belonging loss whenever you are traveling. Airports are never as secure as you would hope, and travelers going to unfamiliar places are always easy targets for thieves looking to make a quick steal. Laptops are good targets for thieves since they are small, light, and easily taken with little notice, especially for professionals. The data on laptops may be targets for hackers as well and may be considered even more valuable than the laptop itself. Be that as it may, there are a few simple measures travelers can take in order to secure their physical laptop and the data contained within.
Physical Safety
The physical safety of your laptop relies completely on you, as the owner, and how you carry it. Having a good carrying bag or laptop bag is the first step to keeping your laptop secure. Laptop sleeves simply make it too accessible for thieves, either when it’s on a tabletop or even when you’re carrying it with you. A decent messenger bag or backpack that has intricate zippers or even locks will make it virtually impossible for a quick snatch. Also, make sure that you carry your laptop with you at all times. Some laptops can be valued well over $2000, and that is very attractive to swindlers. If you have to leave your laptop in your hotel room, make sure to leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Hotels staff can easily access your laptop contents or walk away with the hardware. Never leave your laptop in a car where it is visible either. An easily broken window makes for an easy snatch and grab for a burglar looking to make a quick few bucks.
Data Safety
It can sometimes be more difficult to detect if you’ve been the target of a data breach. The files and data may mean more to you and hold more value than your laptop. Make sure that all your files are backed up, so you don’t lose them entirely in case of an unwanted breach. Taking basic security measures are also crucial to protecting your laptop. Use strong, undecipherable passwords for your laptop and anything else you access on it. Use any security measures your laptop may offer such as automatic lock screens and user accounts. Use the guest account whenever possible when accessing the Internet over a public domain. If possible, use a secured and trusted VPN or Virtual Private Network to access the Internet. This will provide your files with another blanket of protection.
Travelers should never have to go through theft. Unfortunately, it does happen on a regular basis. The good news is you can protect yourself from physical or data theft by taking good security precautions for your laptop and software. For you as a traveler, your best weapon against theft is the total awareness of your surroundings. You are less likely to be a target if you are attentive and mentally present.
