Police Report Thefts, Attempted Thefts of Laptops

Laptop and Computer Theft Prevention Tips

Suspects look for crimes of opportunity, and certain measures can be followed to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of laptop and computer theft:

• Never leave your laptop unattended. Take it with you, or you run the risk that it won’t be there when you return.
• Keep your laptop in your physical possession at all times and pay particular attention at the following locations: airports, hotels, car rental agencies, offices, restaurants, college campuses, rest rooms, pay phones, libraries, bars, hospitals, conference centers, meeting rooms, coffee shops, train stations and bus terminals.
• Some UCSF facilities are open to the public. Know who works in your area and who doesn’t belong there. Don’t let unaccompanied strangers wander around in your workplace. Offer assistance and deliver the visitors to their destinations.
• Disguise your carrying case. By carrying your laptop in a case designed specifically for computers, you alert thieves to the fact that you are carrying something valuable. Instead, consider carrying your laptop in an ordinary piece of luggage, satchel, briefcase or other inconspicuous bag.
• Record your laptop’s serial number, make and model information in your purse or wallet so that if your computer is stolen, the information will be readily available when you file a police report. Also keep an extra copy of this information at home.
• Etch, engrave or permanently mark your computer with your name and phone number. You might also consider placing several of your business cards inside carrying case pockets.
• Identify your carrying case in some unusual way. Brightly colored tape, yarn or tags will help you to locate your bag in the event that it goes missing. When traveling, you might also consider affixing something brightly colored to the laptop itself.
• If your laptop must be left in your car, store it in the trunk of the vehicle prior to arriving at the final destination.
• Regularly back up information. Make sure you store this information separately in case your computer is stolen.
• In the event that your laptop is lost or stolen, make sure you report it missing to your employer and the police department as soon as possible.
• Cable locks will deter, but not guaranteed to prevent the theft of laptops and computers because they can easily be cut. The following higher-security measures are options to consider: Two-way wireless security alarms for laptops consist of an alarm installed on the computer itself and a remote key-chain device. If the alarm detects movement, it first checks whether you’re nearby. If not, your key-chain remote is alerted, emitting a “chirp.” You can then choose to trigger the 110-decibel alarm on your laptop. The alarm can also be set to trigger solely on detecting motion. Another type of alarm works by setting up a security perimeter for the laptop. Moving the laptop beyond the perimeter sets off an alarm, locks keys to encrypted files and disables the computer, making it useless to unauthorized users.