Which Anti-Theft Device Is Recommended for Laptops, Smartphones, Etc.

An overview of helpful anti-theft protection

A new laptop or tablet from a brand manufacturer can easily add up to 1,000 euros or more when it comes to acquisition costs. For high-end devices with attractive features, a professional graphics card with 4K resolution and a fast processor, 3,000 euros and more are due in many cases. Given these price dimensions, it is obvious that theft protection for laptops, notebooks, smartphones, or tablets is essential and should be standard. Investing in the security of hardware and software always pays off.

In addition to the financial value, it is the personal data that gets into the wrong hands and is lost if it is stolen or lost. For this reason, in addition to securing the device, it is important to encrypt access to the operating system. This procedure prevents sensitive personal data or company secrets from being misused for improper purposes in the event of theft. The situation is similar if devices are lost through your own fault, for example, because they are forgotten during a trip on public transport.

Theft Protection for Hardware - You Should Pay Attention to This

A laptop or notebook can be stolen by thieves in a split second. If the laptop is unsecured in an office, a brief moment of carelessness is enough to carry out the theft. The situation is similar in public places, for example at an airport or on public transport. Many thieves use tricks and diversions to use a moment of inattention for their deeds.

To make it difficult for a thief to steal valuable hardware, it should be secured with professional theft protection. The following systems are widespread and are characterized by a high level of security :

1. Kensington Lock or Notebook Lock

Notebook or laptop should be in the owner's field of vision at all times. If the device is unobserved for a moment, a lock can make it difficult to steal the device. A laptop lock is attached to the laptop and another object, for example, a table or chair, using a lock bracket. A steel rope or steel cable guarantees that the laptop cannot be stolen unnoticed. For professional gangs of thieves, a laptop lock is not an obstacle, as the thin steel cable can be easily cut with special tools. A laptop lock is usually referred to as a Kensington lock in specialist shops. The name goes back to the American manufacturer Kensington, who is considered the inventor and pioneer in the field of notebook locks. It basically makes sense to Use a Kensington lock to prevent theft. The price varies and depends on the cable, the protection class of the models, and the manufacturer. Alternative brands and manufacturers of manual anti-theft systems are for example the companies Secuplus and Logilink. 

There are currently various further developments to mechanical locks which, among other things, make biometric or electronic locking systems possible. In addition to the classic Kensington lock, which is supplied with a steel cable and combination lock, other items support effective theft protection.

2. Theft Protection in Office Furniture

For basic protection against theft of a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, we recommend storing it in a locked "container" in the office. A personal office cupboard, a roll container, or other lockable office furniture that provides effective protection against break-ins and theft are conceivable. The anti-theft device is only effective if the device is locked in and attached to a fixture whenever you are away. 

You can also protect your workplace against theft using video surveillance. Video cameras and webcams for the PC are affordable and provide crisp HD images during the day and night. In addition to the video camera, iSpy provides you with powerful video surveillance software completely free of charge. If you don't want to invest much money, you can use dummies as a deterrent. 

3. Theft Protection when Traveling

In addition to Kensington locks, acoustic warning systems, which are also referred to as "electronic line security", are particularly suitable for manual theft protection when traveling. Similar to shops in which an alarm sounds when goods are stolen, an electronic line security system signals the theft and makes it public. The "Laptop Alarm" tool, for example, is available free of charge and effectively warns you when the set events occur.

An alternative to acoustic security is theft protection using GPS. This can be built into laptops as well as smartphones or tablets. GPS security systems issue continuous signals about the location of the stolen device. This way, it will be easier to find the stolen property and the thieves.

Software-Based Anti-Theft Protection - Useful Security to Protect Your Data

A laptop, notebook, or smartphone cannot be saved from theft in every case. If the theft cannot be prevented, access to the device and its data should always be made more difficult. To ensure this, the manufacturer Apple equips all of its devices with an Apple ID, for example. With the appropriate settings, the device can be located and locked worldwide with the Apple ID. This software-based anti-theft device makes the device unusable for thieves. At the same time, access to the device is effectively protected by facial recognition or two-factor authentication.

A fingerprint scanner was used in earlier Apple devices, for example, the iPhone 7. Devices with a fingerprint scanner can only be unlocked if the correct fingerprint has been applied. Lenovo laptops and devices from various other manufacturers also have a built-in fingerprint scanner, which effectively prevents access to the system. The mandatory passwords that are required when unlocking Windows 10 are known and practice-oriented in the same way. Without a password, it is almost impossible to gain access to the system and its data without expert knowledge.

 

In addition to protecting the hardware, protecting sensitive and personal data is important. Hence A combination of total security with theft protection for the hardware and theft protection for the software and stored data offers the best protection against theft.