(I see my original post was too big --- gee, who'd a thunk it? LOL --
so I will break it into two parts.)
The National Enquirer reports at 10:54 PM -0400 10/18/04, Brent
Baeslack wrote:
You wrote:
The National Enquirer reports at 9:18 AM + 10/17/04, Brent
Baeslack wrote:
Greetings Listers,
What would be your advice as to how to secure a PISMO (400
mHz) OS 10.3.5 for traveling?
Do you mean physical security (anti-theft)? Or post-theft?
I'm finally taking my book on the
road and would appreciate thoughts and suggestions as to how to
secure it.
It would help to know what kind of environment you will be concerned
about -- motel/hotel room? conference room? someone else's house?
something else?
I've heard of firmware password and searched and seen some
software that supposedly sends a data packet when connected to the
net that helps zero in on its location. Is any of those software
programs worth while?
I'm not sure what you are referring to here. Do you mean software
that sends and email message indicating its IP address *after* the
unit has been stolen? If that's the case, check...
MacPhoneHome which works under both OS 8/9 and OS X. $29.95 per
download/license.
http://www.brigadoonsoftware.com/purchase.html
There are 2 or 3 similar programs, but I'm not sure this is what you
are wanting.
If you are concerned about physical security, let me address that
issue with which I am familiar. I have used the Defcon 1 unit for a
number of years. It's a combination of a security cable and a
piercing audio alarm which is set off by a user-adjustable motion
sensor. Noting the paragraph below starting with Keep in mind...,
the Defcon 1 is one of the best systems I have run across.
http://www.portinc.com/defcon.htm still in the $50 range I believe.
This one I haven't explored, but you may want to take a look:
http://www.fmjpadlock.com
Keep in mind, that if someone **really** wants to steal your laptop.
There's not much you can do to prevent it, other than keeping it with
you all of the time.
BTW I also have some advice on how to protect your laptop in
airports, if you are interested.
Bob:
Thanks for your response.
I will provide more specifics, sorry I did not provide more details.
It's always a good idea to provide as much information as possible.
It helps folks like me better understand what you're actually
needing. :-)
Mode of transport is A) airplane
My opinion on taking a laptop on an airplane is to always make it one
of my carry-on bags. I would never have it shipped in the cargo hold,
even if it was in a suitcase with clothes or other items. My PB is
**never** out of my sight. And I never store it in an overhead
compartment in the plane. It's far too easy for someone to carelessly
knock it out onto the floor. I always put mine under the seat in
front of me.
Another hint that many of us use -- don't travel with your laptop
turned off. Just put it to sleep. Then when you are asked to turn it
on by airport security, just tap a key instead of waiting for a cold
boot.
I'm going to bypass things like connectors for power-jacks in some
sections of some airlines, as well as using wireless networks in
commercial airports.
B) car
The key issue when taking a laptop in a car IMO is never leave the PB
where is can be seen and/or stolen. It only takes a knowledgeable
thief a few seconds to break into a a vehicle and escape. I would
lock it up in the trunk, even if I was stopping at a McDonalds. But
then, I'm an extra cautious type of guy. :-)
Temporary shelter is A) motel
This could be your biggest concern. From motel cleaning people to
break-in thieves, motels are very high security risks for a laptop.
I would do one of the following:
1. Take the laptop with me when actually leaving the premises.
2. At least put it some place out of plain view (at the top the
closet under an extra pillow or blanket, I have even put mine in the
tub)
3. Secure it with a security cable/alarm.
B) conference
Tough when you have to go to the bathroom, huh? g
I try to make friends with someone next to me and ask them to watch
my laptop when I'm leaving my seat during a break or whatever (and in
that type of environment, I'm as concerned about someone knocking it
off a seat or a seat tray as I am about someone stealing it)
As crazy as it sounds, I would take it with me when I went to lunch.
Requesting suggestions to provide difficultly to physical transport (stealing)
One of the *advantages* of beefed up security at airports is that
items being stolen at the X-ray machines should be dramatically less.
However, maybe out of habit, I'm still extremely cautious when
putting mine through the X-ray machine. If someone like Steve Wozniak
can have his laptop stolen (at LAX), I think it's worth paying
attention to. Just make sure the following doesn't happen to you.
A common ploy has been to choose a victim and a party of 2
