Thinkpads Forum

I do a lot of traveling for business and pleasure
and often find myself in a hotel room or cruise ship
cabin.

I need to make sure that my laptop is secured when
I am not in my room.

What locked cables and or devices do you recommend for
securing a laptop?

Does the T60 even have a security slot on it?

If you have something that works very well for you please
be sure to provide manufacturer and model # and even an
Internet link so I can order it directly.

As always, thanks!

Yes, the T60 does have a security port. It is located on the right hand side all the way at the back, just a little rectangular hole. This is a Kensington cable slot. Its not actaully Kensington brand, but that is its most common name.

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detai ... 271804.asp

A better level is using the docking station, the laptop will lock into that and then a stronger cable can be used on the dock.

Or wrap it in razor wire, then if it gets stolen, look for the person with missing fingers.

Make sure you set the hard drive password and the supervisor password, both in BIOS. That way, if your Thinkpad ends up missing they'll essentially be stealing a brick.

RonS wrote:Make sure you set the hard drive password and the supervisor password, both in BIOS. That way, if your Thinkpad ends up missing they'll essentially be stealing a brick.

I second that. Very important, I have always done this. My laptop was stolen and I had the peace of mind that my data was not going to be seen by anyone. I really like this feature!

Archer

Thanks guys!

Would someone do me a favor?

I have tried to set a password in the BIOS every
time my computer has reminded me to do so. I seem
to get lost in the attempt with every try.

Could someone post a few simple yet detailed
instructions on how to set the passwords once in
the BIOS?

Thanks!

why lately lot of password questions.

Locking up your laptop using a secure cable is one method... but to me this method never made all that much sense. The cable is easily cut and I always felt it just draws attention to the laptop. Instead, I have traditionally hidden imy laptop in the middle of whatever dirty laundry I have... including the power brick, mouse, or anything else that would give away I have a laptop with me. So far, in over 10 years of travel with a laptop, no stolen computer, ever. Now it's more of a hassle having to hide all the "evidence", but I feel I am protecting the laptop better with this method rather than drawing attention to it by locking it up with a cable that can be compromised with one good cut. A cable may prevent a "crime of opportunity" but not anyone seriously interested... not knowing to look for anything seems more secure? Have I just been lucky?

NJRonbo wrote:Would someone do me a favor

Here is the help you requested:
1) restart the computer and watch the display closely, once the "windows is shutting down" blue screen goes away, the restart begins.
2) The moment the Black screen with the LARGE THINKPAD logo appears, press and hold the Blue ThinkVantage Button for at least 10 to 15 seconds then release it. Again watch carefully as another window will appear, as go away if you do not make a choice within just a few seconds.
3) The choice is to press the F1 key, which will select Bios Setup Utility from that window.
4) Now you can take your time. Use the down arrow to select "Security" and press Enter.
5) From the list of choices choose Password and press Enter
6) Read the available choices, the one you want is "Power-On Password.
7) Follow the prompts as at this point it will be easy.
8 ) If you want to password protect the hard drive if someome removes it for example. Repeat the procedure from step 5) above.
I would highly suggest you set both the power on & hard drive password.

Let me know how you do. I will be online for a couple of hours.
Archer

[quote]8 ) If you want to password protect the hard drive if someome removes it for example. Repeat the procedure from step 5) above.

1. If I clone the hard drive with Acronis to a hard drive in the slim bay adaptor, will the cloned drive also be password protected?
2.If I switch harddrives and insert the cloned drive into the laptop, will it open with the password?
3. When I insert the password protected harddrive from the laptop into the slim bay adaptor, can I access it?

I have to agree with Stefan. I also travel alot with my laptop and the best way to secure it is to hide it from view.

If I have to leave it in my hotel room, I usually put it inside my luggage under some clothes and it has worked so far w/o any problems.

jagged wrote:I have to agree with Stefan. I also travel alot with my laptop and the best way to secure it is to hide it from view.

It depends WHERE you are more than almost anything else.

In most of the EU, I leave it checked with the front desk or concierge. Same for the UK.

In North America, it goes in the trunk of my rental car or in the in-room safe if it will fit. Barring those choices, it gets checked with the front desk.

In South America, check it if possible, but in NO case carry it on the streets!

In any of the "Four Tigers", I leave it out in plain sight on the desk in my room. (I used to use this method back in the days of the CCCP. But in the "new and improved" Russia, padlock it to your body!) Same goes for mainland China. All bets are OFF in Taiwan as there's a very active black market in laptops.

In Africa, leave it home! If the "Government" doesn't keep it for a "security check" when you enter the country, you'll have to produce a notarized bill of sale to take it back out of the country.

All of the above are also dependent on what type of hotel (e.g. 4 Star, budget, hostel, etc.) one stays in.

Cable locks are basically useless, most can be opened in less than a minute with a BIC pen, I think the record is something like 7 seconds. My favorite though is defeating the mighty Kensington lock with the cardboard tube from a bog roll!

http://www.toool.nl/kensington623.wmv

Regards,

James

Wow!

You can really learn something from film!

Looks like I won't be buying any security cables
for my PC after all.

Thanks , James!

I have a Targus DEFCON cable which uses a rolling 4 digit combination instead of the stupid cylindrical key. Also means I don't need to carry a key around. Same price as Kensington brand as far as I know.

Kensignton now makes a lock that uses the rolling digits also, so no key needed. It's a tad bulkier, but the no key is nice.

Hey Ron, now I know your other lurking spot. Glad you guys got the software upgraded over there!

Thanks grimmster!

JHEM wrote: It depends WHERE you are more than almost anything else.

In most of the EU, I leave it checked with the front desk or concierge. Same for the UK.

In North America, it goes in the trunk of my rental car or in the in-room safe if it will fit. Barring those choices, it gets checked with the front desk.

In South America, check it if possible, but in NO case carry it on the streets!

In any of the "Four Tigers", I leave it out in plain sight on the desk in my room. (I used to use this method back in the days of the CCCP. But in the "new and improved" Russia, padlock it to your body!) Same goes for mainland China. All bets are OFF in Taiwan as there's a very active black market in laptops.

In Africa, leave it home! If the "Government" doesn't keep it for a "security check" when you enter the country, you'll have to produce a notarized bill of sale to take it back out of the country.

All of the above are also dependent on what type of hotel (e.g. 4 Star, budget, hostel, etc.) one stays in.

Cable locks are basically useless, most can be opened in less than a minute with a BIC pen, I think the record is something like 7 seconds. My favorite though is defeating the mighty Kensington lock with the cardboard tube from a bog roll!

http://www.toool.nl/kensington623.wmv

Regards,

James

Wow, I realize now how easy it is to lose our laptops. Personally, I travel mostly to Far East Asia, US, or Western Europe but always stay in 4-star up hotels so I feel relatively "safe". Since laptops are expensive, it will always be targets for theft. Therefore, the best solution is still to protect the information inside it and act smartly when we travel.

Btw, anyone has heard of a Thinkpad program wherein your laptop gets "insured" and gets replaced in case of theft? I think my T60's included in that program but only for HK (where I got it).

JHEM wrote:Cable locks are basically useless, most can be opened in less than a minute with a BIC pen, I think the record is something like 7 seconds. My favorite though is defeating the mighty Kensington lock with the cardboard tube from a bog roll!

http://www.toool.nl/kensington623.wmv

Regards,

James

So much for my method of security!!

jagged wrote:Btw, anyone has heard of a Thinkpad program wherein your laptop gets "insured" and gets replaced in case of theft? I think my T60's included in that program but only for HK (where I got it).

I have a rider on my homeowner's insurance that covers all my laptops against loss or theft while travelling and all perils at home. Costs ~US$100 per year and is replacement cost coverage.

Regards,

James