Are you torn between leaving your laptop behind when going on a journey, or bringing it along with you? Though leaving it behind can help you relax and unwind from your busy lifestyle, the laptop can be a convenient source of entertainment during your vacation. If you choose to bring it along with you, you need to think about secure traveling.
Since a laptop is not attached to your body like a leg or arm, it can quickly disappear, especially when moving from one destination to the other. Laptop security can prevent you from such worries and give you peace of mind as you enjoy your vacation. Find out some of the most effective ways you can secure this crucial gadget as you travel.
Keep an eye on your laptop
Most thieves often target valuable items, such as laptops. As you travel, you need to ensure that you keep yours within view. Do not place it on an unoccupied seat next to you, then get distracted by a phone call since it can easily be stolen. If you are driving, you should avoid keeping the laptop exposed on a passenger’s seat. This can make it easy for a person to steal it when you are stuck in traffic or getting out of the vehicle to pump some gas. You can store it under the seat or cover it with something. Avoid leaving your car unlocked even if you are getting some snacks across the road.
Back up your laptop
As you think about how to stay safe when traveling, you should also prioritize the safety of your laptop. Apart from losing the gadget itself, you may end up losing some crucial data if you don’t take the necessary security measures. Before you start traveling, ensure that you have a copy of all the vital information on your laptop’s hard drive. If you store this data in an external drive, you should leave it at home as you travel so that you can always have somewhere to pick off in case you lose the laptop during your vacation.
If you don’t want anyone to access critical information stored on your laptop, you can lock it down by setting strong passwords. You can write down some strong passwords and store them away from the computer in case you forget. Alternatively, you can also make use of cloud storage if you are worried about losing some crucial data on the laptop.
Make use of encryption systems
Most people store details, such as their home address, banking details, photos, and UD copies on their laptops. These details can make you a victim of identity theft if they fall into the wrong hands during your trip. You can, however, reduce such risks by making use of an encryption system. Full disk encryption can protect all the data that is stored on your laptop. You can also choose the specific files that you want to encrypt.
Keep the laptop padded
Travel security can be broad, and if you are bringing along a computer, you should not only focus on keeping yourself safe but also the gadget. One of the most effective ways of securing a computer while traveling is keeping it padded. Some travelers have the habit of tossing their laptops into a regular backpack. Though the bag may look strong enough to carry your device, it does not offer the best level of protection.
A laptop is quite delicate, and when you have to keep on changing locations, you should keep it padded so that you can boost safety. Look for a cushioned bag that is designed for laptops as you shop for the rest of your travel items. Sometimes, traveling can involve a lot of shoving different bags into tight spots. If you do not store the laptop in a safe bag, then you risk damaging it. You can also prevent it from theft by buying a bag that does not come with a well-known logo. Such logos often leave the impression that you must be carrying something valuable.
Avoid using public WIFI
Most travelers take advantage of free WIFI that is available in different stations such as bus stations or airports. Though this can save you some expenses, you need to remember that you are in public. Public WIFI exposes your laptop to things such as data snoops, viruses, and malware. Before you access the internet using public WIFI, you should ensure that you have updated antivirus software. Try to block any malicious connections to your laptop.
Securing your connection while traveling with your laptop can protect any sensitive data on it. Try to avoid last-minute shopping online since uploading any personal information while connected to public WIFI is risky. Wait until you have a secure connection for you to do such things.
Know everything about your laptop
Before you start traveling with this device, you should note down the precise specifications of your laptop. You can write down details such as the model, make, and serial number. These details can help you report a stolen or lost laptop so that you can try recovering it if such an incident occurs. You can even take a picture of the computer as you take note of some of the distinguishing features it may have, such as a dent or a sticker. Such things can help you prove that you are the owner of the laptop if it is recovered.
Get insurance
If you are traveling with your computer, then you should not overlook travel insurance. A policy that covers the loss of such personal items can help you get compensation if you lose your laptop during your trip. The amount of coverage you get should be enough for you to buy a new computer. Implementing this guide on travel security when you are bringing along your laptop on our journey can save you from lots of headaches. The safety of your laptop should always come first.
