First and foremost, NEVER leave your laptop and other personal and valuable property unguarded- Not even for a second!
Laptops are more resilient and portable than in the past, but are still subject to damage and theft which could result in loss of important data. Here are a few basic user and safety tips:
Always handle your laptop carefully.
Dropping or bumping the laptop repeatedly can affect the hard drive and damage sectors. Any data stored on damaged sectors could be permanently lost.
Set a password.
Always set a password on your laptop computer to prevent others from accessing your information.
Record laptop hardware information.
Record the laptop make, model number, and serial number and store it in a secure location.
Periodically backup critical files.
In addition to storing them on the laptop hard drive, organize your important files into one folder and then copy that folder to a diskette, flash drive or disc. You may also backup files to your personal NYLS F:drive. Consider backing up your laptop on a recurring basis (every few days, weekly, or monthly).
Don't forget your power cord.
Always check that you retrieve your power cord before you leave an area.
Avoid storing sensitive, personal data on your laptop.
Since laptops are more subject to theft, the data on them is at higher risk. Stolen banking information, passwords, etc. can be more valuable than the laptop to a thief and can create more serious problems for you in the long run.
Protect your laptop from viruses and spyware.
Viruses are particularly common among shared machines, e-mail, and unsecured wireless networks. Never download unknown files or open suspicious e-mails. Install anti-virus software on your laptop and update it frequently. You must have updated antivirus software to connect to the NYLS network. Additionally, spyware software and a firewall should be installed to protect your laptop when using the internet. Internet sites may install programs or files on your laptop without your knowledge. Spyware helps detect and remove these items. Additionally, a firewall can protect against this type of activity and also prevent someone from accessing your computer through the internet. Don’t forget to run regular virus and spyware scans on your laptop to identify and fix problems.
Consider purchasing security technologies.
You may also consider purchasing a laptop security technology. When making a selection, choose the one which best addresses your concerns. There are hundreds of products which range from motion alarms to software which notifies a monitoring company when a laptop computer is used and/or records what sites are visited. Samples of the most commonly purchased laptop security hardware and software are noted below:
Laptop Cable Kits Sample 1 Sample 2
LoJack for Laptops
The items presented here are samples of what is available and are not endorsed by the Assistant Vice President for Security & Safety or New York Law School. Should you purchase one of these technologies, remember that you must always take the basic steps to keep this and other valuable property secure.
...and
Participate in the New York City Police Department Laptop Identification Program
The New York City Police Department Laptop Identification Program was instituted following the increase in thefts of laptop computers. All laptops registered in this program will be entered into the First Precinct’s database. The program is open to all persons who own a laptop. You are not required to reside in the TriBeCa community, the borough of Manhattan, or the City or State of New York to participate in this program. There is also no limit to the number of laptops that can be registered.
The officer will ask for your name and note the laptop make, model number, and serial number. A sticker (the size of a business card) will be placed on the top of the laptop where it is most visible. An invisible marking pen (which can only be read under a special light) will be used to write a tracking number on the bottom of the laptop. This number will be linked to your name and the laptop information noted above. The label serves as notification that the laptop is registered with the NYPD. If the laptop is lost or stolen, the tracking number would confirm that the laptop is yours if it is recovered.
If you have not already done so, consider participating in the New York City Police Department Laptop Identification Program. This is one of many ways to deter theft, but this program must not be interpreted as an alternative to taking aggressive steps to keep this and other personal and valuable property secure. The dates that Officers from the NYPD will be on-campus will be posted on this site and in This Week At New York Law School.
Written with assistance from staff in the Office of Information Technology and security suggestions from several NYLS students.
