Archive for September, 2009
Tip of the Week: Use a Screen Shield
Most folks pay no attention to security. Other folks overestimate the problem–they overestimate the vulnerabilities that exist. Neither of these is the best approach, of course.
The overestimators will assume that every person in the airport is studying their laptop screen over their shoulder–like the song made freshly famous in the GEICO commercials (Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching [...]
Rip of the Week: Scientist Loses Seven Years of Research on Stolen Laptop
No doubt the response to this week’s Rip of the Week will be: why in the world didn’t this man back up his data!?
And he is a scientist, in fact.
While it’s very obvious now, with that perfect hind sight, that backups are rather important, we see week in and week out that few people seem [...]
Tip of the Week: Leave it Home
This week’s Tip of the Week will give me a chance to give one nod to the naysayers.
Whenever a major data breach happens, such as the several that have plagued Oklahoma this year, I read the comments of the news coverage articles. These comment boards are filled with angry citizens, virtually yelling their displeasure, asking [...]
Rip of the Week: Gulf War Veteran’s Laptop Stolen, Artwork Gone
Here is a sad case of a Gulf War veteran in the UK, who fell victim to a rather mean-spirited con operation by a woman and her male accomplice, or so it appears. With thanks to Redemtech for the tip, Yourthanet reports that the veteran and artist, Glenn Fitzpatrick, was putting on an art exhibition [...]
Tip of the Week: Use a Firewall, and Use it Properly
Most of our tips focus on specifically thwarting laptop theft and loss. But here’s another one that’s related to data theft but not hardware-related.
It’s crucial to use an updated, current, industrial-grade firewall on your computer. Windows, for example, has one built in, but products from Symantec, McAfee, and others can also extend the functionality.
A firewall [...]
Rip of the Week: Pastor Prays for Return of Stolen Sermons
In a sad but all-too-common form of data breach, CW13 reports (thanks also to Redemtech) on a Loomis, California pastor who returned home from church camp to find the door to his office open, and his laptop gone.
No big deal, or so he thought, since the donated laptop was five years old (or more) and [...]
Tip of the Week: Would You Really Trust a Stranger?
It’s a little odd to have to provide this as a Tip of the Week, but apparently it’s necessary. If you monitor the “chatter” out there you’ll hear the occasional story of a laptop theft brought about by a common situation: the infamous “potty break.” The laptop owner is at his local hangout, often a [...]
Rip of the Week: Stolen Laptop Saga Unfolds in Realtime…and Isn’t Finished Yet
Here’s a little drama for us all to watch together.
TUAW, an unofficial Apple blog, reports on a common case of laptop theft involving a Mac. In this case, though, the victim is actively tracking and “spying” on the thief, and we’re getting regular updates as more drama unfolds!
The thief is apparently completely unaware that he’s [...]
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