Laptop lock

A relative of mine is going to university and will be staying in a Res. Expensive laptop, so I figured she'll need a laptop lock. I have zero experience with them so some pointers would be appreciated.

Is there a visible slot into which the lock is attached? (Can't see one on mine)

Must it be installed (take laptop apart) or does it just plug in?

Is it manufacturer specific? (Dell in this case afaik)

Is it connected to the mobo?

Will tearing it out w/ force just damage the casing or kill the laptop completely? i.e. How flimsily is it attached?

Is a combination lock or key lock preferable?

Overall level of security provided? e.g. Will a thief with a pair of pliers manage to steal it?

Any other comments regarding laptops in Res would also be helpful.

Thanks

Can't give you much specific advise, but I think you are looking for one of these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot. That article should answer some of your questions.

If it were me, my laptop would never leave my sight for even one second, and if possible be locked inside of some kind of big heavy immobile locker when not in use, those locks don't look that safe to me.

You might want to look at some of these http://www.google.co.za/search?q=how+to+crack+a+kensington+lock while you're at it.

AnomalyNexus said:

A relative of mine is going to university and will be staying in a Res. Expensive laptop, so I figured she'll need a laptop lock. I have zero experience with them so some pointers would be appreciated.

Is there a visible slot into which the lock is attached? (Can't see one on mine)

Must it be installed (take laptop apart) or does it just plug in?

Is it manufacturer specific? (Dell in this case afaik)

Is it connected to the mobo?

Will tearing it out w/ force just damage the casing or kill the laptop completely? i.e. How flimsily is it attached?

Is a combination lock or key lock preferable?

Overall level of security provided? e.g. Will a thief with a pair of pliers manage to steal it?

Any other comments regarding laptops in Res would also be helpful.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Should be a visible hole, perhaps near the base of the monitor. Look for a rounded rectangular hole.

It just plugs in, no need to dismantle anything.

No. The lock is generally an open standard.

Yes/no. Its generally connected to the chassis of the device, which is connected to the mobo. But the lock does not connect directly to the mobo.

You will struggle to tear the device out! Those things are surprisingly strong. If you were to try to rip the device out you will damage it, perhaps beyond repair. In cases where I have seen thefts take place, they usually break the desk, or whatever the lock is tied to, to ensure that the device is left intact. Remember that the lock connects to the chassis, not just the case....

Combination/key is your preference.

Overall security is better than what you may imagine just by looking at the lock/device combination. However with enough time the lock can be removed. It is very useful for preventing somebody from walking past and simply picking up the laptop and wondering off, since they would literally have to remove half the desk at the same time thus breaking their cover Pliers will struggle to cut the cable; bolt cutters will be easier.

They're a bitch and a half to pick. The newer locks are even worse/better. Colleague managed to lock his to his desk. Tried doing the sliver of metal trick, but that didn't work. I had to go manual starting at 0000. Eventually got it after 10 minutes and it was 1xxx. So make sure you first digit of the code is quite high.

I got the combination one as thats all I could find the day I was looking for one. To be honest, its just a theft deterrent and but its still worth it. Agree on the statement that its more to stop snatch 'n grabs.

While she's at it, get her to enable her HDD password and BIOS password as well.

So she'll have to type in a password every time the lappy boots up - a PITA, but worthwhile as some laptops you'll need to replace the entire motherboard just to bypass the BIOS/HDD password :twisted:

Beware though, if she loses, or forgets the BIOS/HDD password, it will mean an expensive replacement.

Won't a cheaper laptop be an option rather?

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I appreciate it.

@Lib: More concerned about safety of hardware itself. Will add Truecrypt though. Laptop already purchased, so cheaper laptop not possible.

Laptop lock it is then. Now the Res just has to have something solid enough to which it can be attached.

AnomalyNexus said:

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I appreciate it.

@Lib: More concerned about safety of hardware itself. Will add Truecrypt though. Laptop already purchased, so cheaper laptop not possible.

Laptop lock it is then. Now the Res just has to have something solid enough to which it can be attached.

Click to expand...

Also have a 16-32GB flash stick to keep backup copies of data just incase it gets stolen. You have insurance on the laptop but not the data so it's a good idea to keep a copy elsewhere, very handy when you have deadlines to meet.