Does a college kid need a notebook lock?

[leehljp]

1. Stolen Laptop Recovery:
http://www.pcphonehome.com/mac/index.html

http://www.orbicule.com/undercover/mac/

From what I have read over the past couple of years, these have been effective in recovering the laptops.


2. Laptop Theft Prevention:
A. Lock - you have already ordered that.
B. Make it ugly. Ugly and old are un-inviting.
Laptop skins - cheap ones that will preserve the newness yet allow for stickers and making the laptop look uninviting - as a laptop.

Do a search for laptop skins, specifically for her computer. There are fancy ones but plain ones with personalized stickers and markers will make it look older. However, your daughter may balk at this!

[Uncle Cracker]

Spring for one of those locks that handcuff the laptop to her wrist.

Nope... Get one that cuffs it to her chastity belt... (Now you know why they call them "laptops"...)

[Kristofor]

Having it locked in the dorm helps no doubt. That said, at the U of MN I think more of them were nabbed when left semi-unattended at a cafe, in a library, on the mall, etc.

[LinuxRandal]

1. Stolen Laptop Recovery:
http://www.pcphonehome.com/mac/index.html

http://www.orbicule.com/undercover/mac/

From what I have read over the past couple of years, these have been effective in recovering the laptops.

While I don't know who/what brand works for Macs (only know about Lowjack for Laptops and an opensource software), I do know the paid ones at least (haven't heard any Linux stories yet) work. It was STRONGLY recommended to me, by a LEO relative who has recovered them due to it.

[cabinetman]

Nope... Get one that cuffs it to her chastity belt... (Now you know why they call them "laptops"...)

That kinda gives desktop a whole new meaning.
.

[os1kne]

If it's the cable-type laptop lock, make sure that you teach her how to secure it properly. i.e. if she secures it to a table leg, the thief could just put the computer on the floor and lift the table an inch and slide the cable under.

Good luck.

[Wood_workur]

Okay, I ordered one.

After reviewing all the available ones on Amazon, I went with a keyed one, though.

The combination locks apparently "get stupid" on some people and the combinations change.

She is accustomed to wearing keys, etc., around her neck because she is a lifeguard. So she said she'd just put the key there.

I haven't heard of the com changing, but I've heard of the keys being picked with a toilet paper roll.

[cgallery]

I haven't heard of the com changing, but I've heard of the keys being picked with a toilet paper roll.

There was a video that went viral on the Internet a few years ago where a guy was picking expensive bike locks w/ the round keys. He was using the outer plastic casing of a BIC ball point pen, I think. I don't think all locks were easily picked, but I could be wrong.

In any case, we did some testing and determined we didn't have what it took. And I was never really sure if it was BS or not.

In any event, it takes approx. six seconds to cut through the cable with a hacksaw. Point being, I just need to make it a little more difficult, I guess, than the laptops that aren't secured.