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Laptop Security Software and Laptop Safety Measures
Want Laptop Security and Protection? Do you currently practice Laptop Safety as you do with your PC? Lack of Laptop Security software and other unsafe practices can lead to theft of the laptop , sensitive data and personal information and is a very significant threat to users. You'll need good Internet Security Software, anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall. Great Internet security softwares can be found on our Internet Security Software and Review pages.Many methods to protect the data and to prevent theft have been developed, including alarms, laptop locks, and visual deterrents such as stickers or labels. Victims can lose hardware, software, and essential data that has not been backed up. Thieves also may have access to sensitive data and personal information. Some systems authorize access based on credentials stored on the laptop including MAC addresses, web cookies, cryptographic keys and stored passwords. Depending on what is kept on a particular laptop, lack of proper laptop security precautions allows a thief to easily acquire such information as personal bookkeeping files, documents containing passwords, addresses, as well as employee and customer information stored on company laptops. For total laptop security you need on- board and physical protection: Inside/on-board protection of your Laptop: Passwords are no longer adequate for laptop security. There are many solutions that can improve the strength of a laptop's protection. Full disk encryption (FDE) is an increasingly popular and cost-effective approach. Full disk encryption can be taken on from a software-based approach, a hardware-based approach, or both - end-based approach. FDE provides protection before the operating system starts up with pre-boot authentication, however precautions still need to be taken against cold boot attacks.There are a number of tools available, both commercial and open source that enable a user to circumvent passwords for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Passwords provide basic laptop security measure for stored files, though combined with disk encryption software they can reliably protect data against unauthorized access. Remote Laptop Security (RLS) is available to confidently secure data even when the laptop is not in the owner's possession. With Remote Laptop Security, the owner of a laptop can deny access rights to the stolen laptop from any computer with Internet access. Final Defense is also a superb inside laptop security measure as you can track and trace the laptop after it is stolen and most importantly kill the laptop if it is stolen. Another possible approach to limiting the consequences of laptop theft is to centralize laptop data. This is accomplished by issuing Thin client devices to field employees instead of conventional laptops, so that all data will reside on the server and therefore may be less liable to loss or compromise. If a thin client is lost or stolen, it can easily and inexpensively be replaced. However, a thin client depends on network access to the server, which is not available aboard airliners or any other location without network access.This approach can be coupled with strong authentication as such Single sign on. Physical Protection: A laptop computer defines convenience and mobility. It enables you to work from home, a hotel room, a conference hall, or a coffee shop. Maybe you've taken steps to secure the data on your laptop: You've installed a firewall. You update your anti-virus software. You protect your information with a strong password. You encrypt your data, and you're too smart to fall for those emails that ask for your personal information. But what about the laptop itself? A minor distraction is all it takes for your laptop to vanish. If it does, you may lose more than an expensive piece of hardware. The fact is, if your data protections aren't up to par, that sensitive and valuable information in your laptop may be a magnet for an identity thief. Chances are you've heard stories about stolen laptops on the news or from friends and colleagues. No one thinks their laptop will be stolen. Thinking of taking your laptop on the road? It's a great way to work and stay in touch when you're out and about, but you need to take some steps to keep your laptop safe–and in your possession. Here are some things you can do to keep track of your laptop: .Treat it like cash. .Get it out of the car…don't ever leave it behind. .Keep it locked…use a security cable. .Keep it off the floor…or at least between your feet. .Keep passwords separate…not near the laptop or case. .Don't leave it "for just a sec"…no matter where you are. .Pay attention in airports…especially at security. .Use bells and whistles…if you've got an alarm, turn it on. .Treat your laptop like cash. If you had a wad of money sitting out in a public place, would you turn your back on it – even for just a minute? Would you put it in checked luggage? Leave it on the backseat of your car? Of course not. Keep a careful eye on your laptop just as you would a pile of cash.. .Keep it locked. Whether you're using your laptop in the office, a hotel, or some other public place, a security device can make it more difficult for someone to steal it. Use a laptop security cable: attach it to something immovable or to a heavy piece of furniture that's difficult to move – say, a table or a desk .Keep it off the floor. No matter where you are in public – at a conference, a coffee shop, or a registration desk – avoid putting your laptop on the floor. If you must put it down, place it between your feet or at least up against your leg, so that you're aware of it. .Keep your passwords elsewhere. Remembering strong passwords or access numbers can be difficult. However, leaving either in a laptop carrying case or on your laptop is like leaving the keys in your car. There's no reason to make it easy for a thief to get to your personal or corporate information. .Mind the bag. When you take your laptop on the road, carrying it in a computer case may advertise what's inside. Consider using a suitcase, a padded briefcase or a backpack instead. Get it out of the car. Don't leave your laptop in the car – not on the seat, not in the trunk. Parked cars are a favorite target of laptop thieves; don't help them by leaving your laptop unattended. That said, if you must leave your laptop behind, keep it out of sight. .Don't leave it "for just a minute." Your conference colleagues seem trustworthy, so you're comfortable leaving your laptop while you network during a break. The people at the coffee shop seem nice, so you ask them to keep an eye while you use the restroom. Don't leave your laptop unguarded – even for a minute. Take it with you if you can, or at least use a cable to secure it to something heavy. .Pay attention in airports. Keep your eye on your laptop as you go through security. Hold onto it until the person in front of you has gone through the metal detector – and keep an eye out when it emerges on the other side of the screener. The confusion and shuffle of security checkpoints can be fertile ground for theft. Be vigilant in hotels. If you stay in hotels, a security cable may not be enough. Try not to leave your laptop out in your room. Rather, use the safe in your room if there is one. If you're using a security cable to lock down your laptop, consider hanging the "do not disturb" sign on your door. .Use bells and whistles. Depending on your security needs, an alarm can be a useful tool. Some laptop alarms sound when there's unexpected motion, or when the computer moves outside a specified range around you. Or consider a kind of "lo-jack" for your laptop: a program that reports the location of your stolen laptop once it's connected to the Internet. Where to turn for help. If your laptop is stolen, report it immediately to the local authorities. If it's your business laptop that's missing, also immediately notify your employer. You may also wish to review the FTC's information for businesses about data breaches. If it's your personal laptop and you fear that your information may be misused by an identity thief, visit the FTC's Identity Theft website for more instructions. Laptop Security in today's mobile society is essential for your privacy and security. Get yours today! And if you are looking for excellent deals on you next Laptop, check out eBay's Laptop bargains below.
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