Physical Computer Security

(This includes Laptop Security!)

Physical computer security and laptop security can be likened to automotive security. You park your car. You lock the door. You take your keys. Secure? Then a tow truck backs up and hauls the entire car away, contents and all. Not so secure.

"Are you going to preach on better deadbolts and alarm systems?"

Nope, although you should use them. Remember, we're not trying to stop the determined thief, just get him to move on down to the next house! What we will spend time on is threats to the computer itself:

Electrical Surges, including lightning
Computer theft
Environmental hazards

Does this just apply to Microsoft Windows PC's running XP, Vista or whatever? Absolutely not. This section applies to Apple Mac's, your iPod, Palm, other PDA or anything else electrical that's near and dear to your heart.

Electrical threats

Take a look at your computer, see the wires leading into it? Every one is a potential threat to your physical computer security. Ok, the keyboard and mouse really aren't, but everything else is. Laptop security in this context is obviously a moot point if it's on your lap and completely disconnected, but pay attention for those times it is plugged in.

Power Cords

Let's start with the power cord. Not just the one to the main box or CPU, but the one to the monitor, external hard drive, speakers, printer, you name it. Every one of those power cords MUST be plugged into a decent surge protector or UPS (battery backup). And I don't mean just a cheap power strip, I mean a real surge protector with a good rating in joules.

I recommend APC, American Power Conversion, products. There is quite a variety depending on what all you are trying to protect.

Just promise me you won't EVER plug a device straight into the wall outlet! Not even for a minute on a sunny day!

Other cables

In all of my years of experience, by far the most frequent source of damage via a cord of some kind has been the phone cord. The phone cord can carry lightning that once in your system can travel everywhere. You can read about my own lightning damage experience here!

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