Keep It Close to the Vest

Here are some tips for traveling safely with your laptop and protecting the intellectual property contained therein

1. Never leave your laptop unattended. This may seem basic, but unattended also includes the trunk of your car, your hotel room, others’ offices or in your luggage.

2. Restrict password access. There’s software that can quickly do this for you. To review your options, get reports on the latest products at www.cnet.com.

3. Encrypt stored files. Software can do this for you too. But be sure to do your homework on this one.

4. Beware of shoulder surfers. When people peer over your shoulder in the airport, they may be trying to see the sports scores that you have scrolling on streaming video, but they may also be trying to steal the data off your confidential company earnings report. Use a polarizing screen cover (see “Eyes Off My Data,” Page 14). Better yet, use your laptop in a more private location.

5. Change passwords often. It’s hard to remember them all, let alone change them. But it only takes a minute, and it’s effective.

6. Before your laptop is stolen, take preventive measures by adding tracking software. Visit these sites for information: www.sentryinc.com and www.computrace.com.

7. Finally, if your laptop is stolen, report it to the local police.

For more information, visit www.amcoex.com/stolen/default.html and www.stolencomputers.org.

-Kathleen Carr