The Problem With Laptops
BY SABRINA BRADEY, MACINSIDERS
Laptops have all but replaced the old desktop computer because of their convenience. They are easy to carry, can be opened up and used at a moments notice and they’re usually light. The companies that manufacture them are constantly coming out with new models complete with all the bells and whistles that one could possibly hope for. Most university students use
laptops every day and bring them with them all over campus, in short the laptop has become a vital part of our days.
Obviously,
laptops have become a hot commodity. Unfortunately, when something becomes popular (iPods for instance) or a new model is brought out there is a rise in theft surrounding those items. There has even been a
lot of discussion on MacInsiders about the issue. As many of you have probably noticed over the last school year there have been myriads of signs warning you to lock up your possessions, especially
laptops. That is because the McMaster Community was the target for laptop theft and over 41
laptops were stolen from campus alone during the 07-08 year.
There are two main reasons why we have had so many laptop thefts on our campus and those are: a lack of vigilance on the part of the owner and locks that are not strong enough.
I can't tell you why there are people who will walk away from their
laptops and leave them unlocked but there are many of them that do. I have been asked many times by strangers to watch their stuff while they go to the bathroom. I could pick up their laptop and walk away with it once they’re out of eyesight and what can they do? Sure they can file a report and give the police my description--medium build, Caucasian, brown hair, about 5”5--but how many people on campus fit that description? There is no way to identify that laptop as yours once it’s been reformatted and cleaned out. Even if you had a password on it there are ways to get around it if the thief is knowledgeable enough.
Many people have locks specially designed for
laptops, but even these are not fault proof. Laptop locks plug into the side of your computer where a small slot as been made. The
problem with this method of locking is that the laptop is made of plastic and the regular laptop locks can actually be ripped out of the side of the laptop. Granted that that reduces the
laptops sell value it has still been done on this campus and many others.
In light of this McMaster Security has introduced the STOP lock to our community in an attempt to not only reduce the amount of stolen
laptops but to deter thieves from even trying to take them. The STOP lock is essentially a steel plate that is chemically bonded to the top of your laptop and includes a steel cable wire that attaches to the plate, a barcode that when punched into the STOP lock database registers you as the owner of the laptop and a sticker that you may choose to put beside the steel plate but do not have to.
The steel plate itself has the barcode etched onto it and is smaller than your student card. The actual dimensions are 7cmX7cm. This plate, like I mentioned before, is chemically bonded to your laptop and requires 800lbs of pressure per square inch to remove it. If someone did manage to remove the plate there is an ink tattoo that cannot be sanded or removed on the plastic of the laptop that says STOLEN PROPERTY with a 1-800 number to call. The barcode on the top of the plate registers you, the owner/user, on an internationally used database with all of your contact information. If your laptop is lost or if it is stolen and then abandoned after the thief realizes that they cannot remove the plate the laptop can be returned to you because of that barcode. Only the police agencies of each city would have access to this information so you do not need to worry about your privacy. And if you decided to sell your laptop you can change the registration online (for free) to the new owner and add sell value to the laptop itself.
So now that I’ve ranted and raved about this you must be wondering how much such a device would cost you? The STOP locks are being sold at McMaster University for $40.00 CND, the same as your average laptop lock, and there is no other registration or administration fee. You can buy these locks from either COMPASS Information Desk or the vending machine in Mills Memorial Library on the second floor outside the Learning Commons room by the public washrooms.
Yes, Mills has a vending machine that sells locks and much, much more. If this is news to you don’t feel bad cause I only recently found out myself!
If you have any questions about STOP locks or laptop safety in the McMaster Community visit the Security Services web page about STOP locks
here.
Remember to keep an eye on your
laptops and all other belongings, don’t bring them to exams if you can avoid it instead you can print off your notes. You don’t need your iPods while waiting for the exam to start; you
will survive without music. Ask yourself, if you lost that item today, would you be kicking yourself in the rear for bringing it and not paying attention to it? I bet you would.