Travel Technology - note book computer security

i am looking for several notebook computer security devices. any input would be helpful.

in particular, i would like at least one software based that would track a stolen notebook if it connected to the internet and a hardware device such as a cable.

any thoughts or input on these or other items i may have overlooked?

Walt Mossberg at the Wall Street Journal recently recommended http://www.solagent.com/

I haven't tried it yet, but am thinking about it.

You can read his column on it at http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20010621.html

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Who is John Galt?
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Please also see:

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum11/HTML/000482.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum101/HTML/000253.html

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by THX1138:
i am looking for several notebook computer security devices. any input would be helpful.

in particular, i would like at least one software based that would track a stolen notebook if it connected to the internet and a hardware device such as a cable.

any thoughts or input on these or other items i may have overlooked?</font>

Tehre are a variety of steel cables available to protect the machine by attaching them to something. I don't have much faith in the software based solutions, probably because I'm in IT, should I ever steal a laptop the first thing I will do is toss out the hard drive and put in a bigger one for a couple hundred dollars just in case there was some protetion installed. The cable locks go for about $40.

There are also separation alarms, usually used for kids, that beeps when you and your laptop get more then some distance from each other. Those work reall well at the airports and such.

this is going to be for my daughter in college. i am also in 'IT' and have little faith in software, but just the same, i want to protect the investment and her work.

I bought a cable for my son to use on his laptop in college. I think the real issue here is going to be- will they use it http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Edited to add- at my sons college they have an intranet - at the beginning of the year IT must come set up you account and they register the serial number and IP address

[This message has been edited by jan_az (edited 07-18-2001).]

FWIW, I've been using the Defcon 1 from Targus for over two and half years. A nice feature is that in addition to the laptop, it can also be used to secure unattended luggage, briefcases and the like in hotel rooms, meeting venues, etc. It is amazing how much respect is shown by the maids and other personnel after getting near the device.