Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - Security Concerns for the Laptop and Notebook Computer

09-09-2007, 09:46 AM

I generally agree with what was written in this article, however I want to place a few comments:

If allowed to do so (private laptop owners can do so without any doubt, business owners must ask their IT-department first) use "on the fly" disk encryption with a strong password. This doesn't need to be expensive, check out "Free CompuSec"; which is also free for busines use. It supports the Windows operating systems W2K and XP and a few Linux distros.
You can read more about it, and download it from:

http://www.ce-infosys.com/english/do...sec/index.html

Even if the hard disk would be taken out of a laptop with a "uncrackable" power on password, it still would be inaccessible unless you have the user name / password combination to decrypt the hard disk.

Do not trust to much on the power on password; in many cases the tools to 'reset' those are publicly available; the same goes for your W2K pro / XP Pro passwords (about those in Vista I am not sure... yet).

OK, so the computer's data is secured, now the physical security: A difficult issue these days when we have to separate from our equipment at security checkpoints at airports. There are excellent instructions for travelers available on the Internet (from SANS to mention but one), but there are many more places where you can get your laptop stolen. I use for instance a device in the "Defcon" range that has a flexible wire that will go through the handle of the carrying case and back to the device again. the device has a built in "motion sensor" and the flexible wire is a closed loop alarm system (if cut, 110 dB siren will draw attention to what is happening... and believe me thieves do want your laptop, but they don't want to draw the attention of nearly everyone in that place to themselves.

I have observed suspicious behaving people move away from me after I pulled out the device and linked my suitcases and carry case to the luggage trolley (those you use at airports).

One thing you can't buy, or get for free from someone else: Human Alertness! When carrying a laptop... Be Alert!!!, observe your surrounding space.

Note: I am neither associated with, nor do I have any interests in, the manufacturers I mentioned in the above.

09-09-2007, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
RichardIII Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Re: Security Concerns for the Laptop and Notebook Computer I generally agree with what was written in this article, however I want to place a few comments: If allowed to do so (private laptop owners can do so without any doubt, business owners must ask their IT-department first) use "on the fly" disk encryption with a strong password. This doesn't need to be expensive, check out "Free CompuSec"; which is also free for busines use. It supports the Windows operating systems W2K and XP and a few Linux distros. You can read more about it, and download it from: http://www.ce-infosys.com/english/do...sec/index.html Even if the hard disk would be taken out of a laptop with a "uncrackable" power on password, it still would be inaccessible unless you have the user name / password combination to decrypt the hard disk. Do not trust to much on the power on password; in many cases the tools to 'reset' those are publicly available; the same goes for your W2K pro / XP Pro passwords (about those in Vista I am not sure... yet). OK, so the computer's data is secured, now the physical security: A difficult issue these days when we have to separate from our equipment at security checkpoints at airports. There are excellent instructions for travelers available on the Internet (from SANS to mention but one), but there are many more places where you can get your laptop stolen. I use for instance a device in the "Defcon" range that has a flexible wire that will go through the handle of the carrying case and back to the device again. the device has a built in "motion sensor" and the flexible wire is a closed loop alarm system (if cut, 110 dB siren will draw attention to what is happening... and believe me thieves do want your laptop, but they don't want to draw the attention of nearly everyone in that place to themselves. I have observed suspicious behaving people move away from me after I pulled out the device and linked my suitcases and carry case to the luggage trolley (those you use at airports). One thing you can't buy, or get for free from someone else: Human Alertness! When carrying a laptop... Be Alert!!!, observe your surrounding space. Note: I am neither associated with, nor do I have any interests in, the manufacturers I mentioned in the above.