How many of you use a Kensington style lock?

[Tõnis]

I bought one for my Thinkpad, and I'm having a little buyer's remorse. Okay, it was only $30, but I don't like to just throw money away. I saw one guy with his computer secured to a table at the cafe, and I thought it might be beneficial to do the same or to use it in my van, for added security, if I should have to run into the store. I realize it's only supposed to deter opportunistic theft, but is it really just a feelgood product? Obviously, the best course of action is to not leave the Thinkpad anywhere where it could be stolen, but I do sometimes leave it unattended for 5 or 10 minutes.

I have always used a steering wheel club in my vehicle. Of course, that too can be defeated by the serious thief, but my hope with that is merely to discourage the average, idiotic thief. However, I'm afraid this Kensington lock is even less of a deterrent than the club ... someone's probably more likely to just break my computer. Can anyone offer something positive about using one of these devices, or should I just accept the fact that I wasted $30?

Tonis

[Superego]

I have a Kensington lock that I used to use when I was a teaching assistant in grad. school. The TA offices were a bunch of cubicles where undergrads could come for questions. With strangers coming and going I definitely felt better with it locked to my desk. Not a waste of money in my opinion....at the time. Now I have a secure office so I just need to lock my door .

My opinion is that most basic security measures (lock for computer, HDD passwords, WPA encryption, etc.) will stop most people most of the time. If someone is determined enough they can beat your lock (there's a video on youtube of a guy opening a Kensington lock with nothing but a roll of paper or cardboard ). Most people will see a cable lock and not even try, especially when there may be easier pickings nearby.

[USSS]

I use a Kensington cable lock primarily when traveling and need to leave my T43 unattended in my hotel room. However, I prefer to secure my T43 with the cable lock someplace besides the desk and out of view if I am going to be out of the room for more than an hour or so.

It's a fairly inexpensive deterrent. It's more important, as Superego notes, to secure your HDD and logon with strong encryption and passwords.

[rodgermcliff]

I have several of the locks. Two are 3 digit combo, one is a 4 digit combo, and one is a key type. I use the two 3 digit ones to secure various laptops in my classroom. The key one is used with my good laptop [sorry not a Thinkpad... I have gone over to the darkside...]. The 4 digit one is used with either a portable printer or a projector (when I borrow it).

I paid $10 - $15 for each of them. I find them on close out or on Ebay.

They are mediocre protection at best, but there are no really good options other than constant vigilence. They basically slow down the potential thief and hopefully make them go on to an easier target.

Skip the buyer's remorse. You made a smart choice to buy one. Just don't think that it will protect your laptop in all situations.

[bill bolton]

I bought one for my Thinkpad, and I'm having a little buyer's remorse. Okay, it was only $30, but I don't like to just throw money away.

I hope it wasn't one of the tubular key locks....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkKJ4yOKo8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJXtwUzWfPc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc_LKOlaO1Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIQIJpOhV4c

http://lists.ebbc.org/pipermail/ebbc-ta ... 00639.html

Cheers,

Bill B.

[carbon_unit]

I just bought 10 of the tubular style on ebay for about $3.00 each. I got them for the display units in my store. I know they are easy to unlock with a pen but at least they can't just smoothly pick one up on their way out the door, they will have to fiddle with it for a few seconds. During the day that will be enough for me to catch them. At night they won't matter but that is what insurance and security cameras are for.

[rodgermcliff]

Here is another lock to avoid
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductP ... _Id=167080

The little piece that inserts into the computer is really just rubber covered stamped sheet metal. You can give it a good healthy twist and most of them will pop right out.
[I ran a computer lab with laptops at an urban high school. I showed the IT support dept. a nice version of this with cast metal pieces that went into the laptop. They bought 30 of these... with all different keys!!!]

[Tõnis]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I think I'll just get over the buyer's remorse and accept this thing for what it is -- an accessory. Either way, whether my laptop is stolen or broken by a would-be-thief, it will be a tragedy. The fact is, it won't hurt to use the cable lock when I go into a store for five minutes and leave the Thinkpad in the van. Hopefully, it will deter "the honest person" from trying to steal it.

Mine is the combination type made by Targus. Here's a pic: http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae96 ... usLock.jpg

On the package is said it is licensed by Kensington.

Thanks again, all!

Tonis

[Tim M]

Mine is the combination type made by Targus. Here's a pic: http://members.cox.net/nhilp/Targus%20Lock.jpg

This is what I use and I don't regret the purchase. I use it every day when my ThinkPad is on my desk at the cubicle farm or when in a hotel room while traveling. Yes, these locks are simply deterrents that can be overcome, but generally there are various non-locked computers a cubicle or two away from mine, so I gamble that an opportunistic thief would just go for one of those.