Whats the best way of curbing laptop theft?
929486
A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds and according to the FBI, 97% are never recovered. Laptops are taken from coffee shops, hotel rooms and automobiles every day. Losing your laptop is costly, even devastating when you consider the priceless photos, files and personal information you have stored on your laptop.\n\n\nThere are laptop "lojack" style solutions available on: http://www.absolute.com/\n\nThis might not "curb" laptop theft, but at least the victim has some chance of recovering the laptop.
97950
1]  An online anti virus scan such as the tren micro one :\n\nhttp://housecall.trendmicro.com/\n\n2] Use an anti virus application such as AVG Free ( www.grisoft.com ) or my personal favourite clamav ( www.clamwin.com )\n\n3] Use a system restore ( which doesnt always work since there may be viruses lurking in your system restore point(s).\n\n4] Back up all your data and wipe your hard drive clean by formatting it and re installing windows O/S or your O/S along with any drivers and or software you need or want.\n\n5] I can only say dont use dodgy p2p file sharing apps or go to any dodgy sites to reduce getting the viruses in the first place also use safer browsers such as firefox or opera :)\n\nThere is also the risk of spyware ( If you really want a 5th suggestion ) Then I suggest you get an apple mac !!
959637
I think that the laptop is a better choice.  If someone is going to steal your computer it is going to happen anyway (always get student insurance that covers it and other items you own), whether you get a decent desktop or a laptop.  If you look after your laptop there is no reason why it should get dropped or damaged.\n\nAs a student you are going to have to get used to moving from one room to another, or coming home for holidays etc.  A desk top is just an extra hassle to worry about.\n\nOnce you get to college you will find that there are times when you may have to be elsewhere and still want to work.  Group projects, when your room mate is 'entertaining' her male friend in your room, if you want to work at some strange time of the day or night etc.  A laptop is simply easier for all that.\n\nContact the college and find out how their internet works.  They may be wireless, or they may need a cable.  Wireless is built in to decent laptops these days, and a cable is a pretty low cost cable.  Either way it will be pretty idiot proof, so don't worry about it.\n\nThe best advice I can give you as a student is to back up your work.  The cheapest method is to simply email assignments to yourself using a service like Yahoo! Mail.  There are also online back up services where you can upload your work to a secure web site.  Or consider buying a MyBook external hard disk.  You can just save all your work onto that with a click.  Seriously, if I had a dollar for every tear shed by a student who has lost all their work, I'd be rich!  ALWAYS MAKE  A BACK UP AFTER EVERY TWO HOURS OF WORK!  You'll thank me for that one day.\n\nI also strongly suggest a PC rather than a Mac.  Macs are way more expensive to repair and buy software for.  The only reason to get a Mac is if you are in some kind of arty major where they recommend them.  Otherwise you'll find the PC cheaper and more versatile in the long run.  You can get software cheaper and easier too.\n\nGood luck.  Hope you have fun.
660076
Hi there,\n\nThe easiest and most reliable method to remove this and protect you against it PERMANENTLY is by using a program called Prevx1.\n\nThis currently has the strongest protection and removal capabilities of all security programs. (See Yahoo news article below).\n\nThey are currently offering a Free Trial of their program which will scan your computer and automatically remove this threat amongst others your other security programs have no doubt missed.  Go to the link below and click on "Clean & Protect my PC Now":\nhttp://www.prevx.com
1143200
You can also have them automatically emptied when you close the internet or turn off your computer, or disable them completely.\n\nI would run a check every three days to delete unwanted files, virus scan often.
272622
The best thing to do is stay off D drive before you screw up your computer. If the manufacture wanted you on it, it wouldn't be in the lock position.
894499
won't hurt the laptop, but will mess up your operating system (the program) because it takes a few seconds for the operating system to do "house keeping" and shut down programs in the right order and save inportant info.
1082863
Download and run the following tools listed here: http://netsecinfo.com/tutorials.aspx\nlook under this heading;\nSimple Ways to Keep Your Home Computer Safe and Secure
1098706
Well, first off I would relax either way.  Last I heard the laptop was recovered and by all accounts the information was not copied off.  Lets face it, this was a petty crook stealing a laptop and probably some other small things.  Turned into a Federal case with huge nationwide attention, he was probably shitting his pants.  Identity theft is a major problem, but in this case you really don't need to worry more then the rest of us.\n\nThanks for your service.
940370
use bitdefender, its the best.
408747
Easy just bring your laptop
823324
Reinstall Windows:\nhttp://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/software/install.html\nAnd then install a good antivirus program:\nhttp://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/\nhttp://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/security/
620376
I would format the hard drive and install Windows XP Pro since it partitions your rams and drives.\n\nThen I would make sure I never call tech support when that computer breaks down =)\n\nThey cant track the computer if its stolen if you use your own Windows install and you put in all your own programs that you got legally. Just completely wipe out the memory and start fresh.
1172896
parental lock (download one from www.download.com )\n\nget a firewall (just in case)\n\nspyware remover, cookie remover, virus remover (you'll need it)\n\nyou can get all these at download.com
115694
Try Windows Antispyware.
1123816
Turn your laptop off and turn it over.  Somewhere on the bottom, there should be a compartment that contains a battery that is used to keep time when the computer is off.  Open the compartment, and take the battery out for at least 2 minutes, and then replace it.   Your computer should unlock.
316955
Download and install any good antispyware removal program.  They will usually detect most keyloggers.  Also Mcaffe or norton AV if they are up to date...