So much of our lives and livelihoods are tied to computers, so keeping them safe and secure should be a major priority. You’re not just protecting data but a considerable investment of time and money.
There are a number of things you can do to protect your computer from physical theft. To prevent someone from walking off with your equipment, it needs to be anchored to an immovable object, such as a desk, the floor or a wall. Both desktop and notebook computers can be tethered to secure objects using high-grade steel cables and locks. Many notebooks come equipped with what’s called a Kensington security slot, to which you attach a no-cut cable with either a keyed or combination lock. This will deter thieves from walking off with an unattended notebook, though it won’t prevent them from stealing the hard drive or damaging the unit.
Desktop PCs have more options to protect them against physical theft. Computer towers can be equipped with latches and secured with a small padlock to prevent opening the case. Many companies — Kensington, Belkin and KSL Security, to name a few — make lock-and-cable security mechanisms as well as heavy-duty security pads that bolt computers to desks.
The above security methods will help deter theft, but they won’t always prevent it. When thieves want something bad enough, and are given enough time, they usually can get it. There are, however, security measures that can help in case of theft. The most obvious is to inscribe some kind of identification onto the computer case then take a picture of the mark so you can prove ownership. The picture also will help with insurance claims if it can’t be recovered. Many universities offer notebook engraving as a free service to students.
Computer hardware always can be replaced, but your personal or business data often cannot. Making routine backups of your data will ensure, even in the worst case scenario, your data remain intact. Remote data backups are the best, though as the recent Megaupload fiasco has proved, backing up to so-called cloud servers isn’t always secure. Servers get hacked and shut down all the time.
Perhaps a better method is to back up to a removable device, which can be stored off-site but locally accessed. For example, use at least two external hard drives, swapped out with each weekly backup, always keeping one stored in a secure place, such as your bank’s safety deposit box, a personal safe or some other trusted off-site location. This method keeps you in total control instead of at the mercy of some distant cloud.
Other safeguards against data theft include the use of password-protected data encryption, so even if your computer or its backups are stolen, the thieves won’t be able to access your data. Chances are, however, that whoever steals your computer hardware isn’t after your personal or business data; they merely want whatever cash they can get from its sale.
Most often, the biggest threat against your data isn’t theft but rather naturally occurring contaminants. In the dryness of winter, the same static electricity that shocks your finger can instantly destroy sensitive electronics. Always discharge static or wear a grounding strap before touching your computer’s internal components. As spring approaches, so does the season for thunderstorms and lightning strikes. A simple $25 surge protector can be enough to save your data and equipment from instant death.
It’s also important to keep the internal components of your computer free of dust, which can choke electronics, creating a thermal blanket that retains heat and burns out components. At least every six months, unplug everything and take the case outside for a cleaning. Use a can of compressed air and a small, soft-bristled brush to loosen and blow out as much dust as possible.
Source:http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/feb/07/hardware-data-need-protection/
