Below is a short list of recommendations to help protect your laptop from being stolen and eliminate stress if it does get stolen.

Protect

Keep track of important data

Write down the computer serial number and model number, the support phone number, and other useful details about the computer and store that information in your files. Keep the receipts of your computer and associated equipment. This information comes in handy when you need to report the laptop as stolen.

Engrave contact and reward info

Engrave, or put a sticker on the laptop with a phone number and reward of around $250 if the laptop is returned. Often many thieves can’t get more than this on the black market and may call you to sell it back to you.

Don’t keep it out in the open

Never keep your laptop out in the open; this is especially true when the laptop is in your car. If you leave your laptop alone, even for a moment, it’s an easy target for someone to grab while you’re not looking.

Use a laptop lock

If you use a laptop at a coffee shop, work, school, or away from home, attach it to a lock. Most laptops today support the Kensington Lock to prevent it from being taken if you step away. If a Kensington Lock is not available, Compucage, Kensington, and Targus offer other security protection and locks.

Keep your eyes open at the airport

If you’re taking your laptop with you on a plane, keep a close eye on it at all times. Especially when it has to leave your hands to go through a metal detector. Thieves can use this opportunity to take your laptop.

  • Do airport X-rays damage computer hardware?

Use laptop protection services

Check to see if your laptop has TheftGuard or any other security system. If not, consider an alternative program. We’ve listed several of these programs in the below services that help track and protect.

Eliminate stress

Backup your important data

Keep a daily external backup of all your important data. Having your important data on a CD or other drive that’s not part of your computer can save you time and pain if your computer goes missing.

Password protect

Create a boot password in BIOS setup, so your computer prompts for a password before it boots.

You can also use cloud backup services to automatically back up your information that could be accessed even if your computer was stolen. For help with backing up, see: How to back up your computer.

  • How to enter and exit the BIOS or CMOS setup.

Protect passwords

Use a good password manager to store and encrypt your password and other login information. Many people put login information in a text file that could be read by the person who stole the laptop.

  • What is a safe way to remember my passwords?

Encrypt sensitive data

If you have confidential information, encrypt or password-protect that data.

Protection and tracking services

Several online services help protect your computer, and if it’s stolen, help locate it. Below is a list of these companies in alphabetic order.

  • Absolute Software
  • Safeware
  • Theftguard
  • What can I do if my computer or laptop was lost or stolen?
  • Laptop help and support.