10 Ways to Keep Your Laptop Safe When Traveling

You might be reluctant to leave your laptop at home while you are on a trip. Moreover, a laptop is the basic requirement if you are going on an official or business trip. On the other hand, you might want to carry your laptop even if you don’t want to work during the trip. If an emergency comes, then the laptop might help you to handle it. Finally, we shouldn’t forget that laptop functions as a travel agent, guidebook, and a source of entertainment as well. Now, if you are planning to carry your laptop with yourself, then some precautions must be taken to maintain its safety. In case you don’t know the process of safekeeping your laptop, then continue reading. 

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10 Ways to Improve Your Laptop Security During Travels:

Here are some simple ways by which one can protect his laptop. 

Secure Your Laptop Bag

Not only thieves pose a threat to your laptop, but you can also damage it while rushing to the airport or railway station. A laptop is such a lightweight and sophisticated device that you must handle very carefully. So, if you are in a hurry to catch your train or flight, then you might accidentally drop your laptop on the floor. As a result, the laptop might squeeze or crack. Besides this, if you are carrying your laptop within a suitcase, then it might get damaged due to excessive pressure. 

Now, isn’t there is a way to secure your laptop? Yes, you can secure your laptop with a laptop bag only. Therefore, purchase a cushioned laptop bag and place your laptop in it. Thus, your laptop won’t attract your unwanted attention and ruin your enjoyment. For extra protection, buy a slash-proof fabric laptop bag with tamper-resistant zippers. A checkpoint-friendly laptop bag is the best selection for those who travel a lot. Hence, you don’t have to take out your laptop bag for security purposes. 

Ensure the Safety of Your Hotel

If you have gone to spend the holidays, then it’s not possible to carry your laptop every time with you. For example, you have to leave your laptop in the hotel while visiting the sight scenes. Now, how can you guarantee that your laptop will be completely safe in the hotel? Therefore, first, you need to check customer reviews before booking a hotel for your trip. Make sure to lock all doors and windows before leaving the hotel for sightseeing. If there is a smoke detector in your hotel room, then check whether it is working correctly or not. 

Furthermore, if your hotel has a separate place or locker to store your valuables, then use that. If no safekeeping option is available, then hand the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door. Therefore, outsiders will assume that you are inside the room and hence they won’t enter your room anyway. Finally, give strict instructions to the hotel manager for restricting their staff from cleaning your room when you are outside. 

Get a Security Cable Lock

A security cable lock is an anti-theft device that works like a bicycle lock. So, if you have a security cable, then loop it around a fixed object and then connect it to your laptop as well. Then you can lock the security cable with a combination or key. If you are willing to spend a little more, then purchase a high-tech cable lock. Actually, it comes with a motion sensor system that will trigger an alarm if anyone is about to take away your laptop. Thus, the hotel staff, managers, and other boarders will be warned and come to your room for preventing the theft. 

Buy a Travel Insurance Policy

A good travel insurance policy can be a great way to protect your belongings while traveling. Therefore, you must buy a policy that will cover your personal items including your laptop. Only ensure that the amount of coverage is sufficient to cover the cost of your laptop. Often a good travel reward credit covers travel insurance. Thus, check the terms of your card issuer before buying another travel insurance policy. 

Use Antivirus Software

Update your antivirus software before going on a trip. You can thereby protect your data if anyone tries to inject malicious programs into your laptop. In case, you forget to update the software, then use the WiFi connection of your airport or hotel for that. 

Use a VPN

Virtual Private Network protects your internet connection by encrypting data you send and receive online. Moreover, you can access certain online content that is not available in all geographic locations. Thus, it is wise to invest in a VPN. 

Install Theft Recovery Software

Install a theft recovery software to track the location of your stolen laptop. A good recovery software carries on its functions even if the thief erases all data and install a new Operating System. 

Record Laptop Details

Don’t forget to take down the specifications of your laptop like the model name and serial number before traveling. Also, take photos of your laptop and focus on distinguishing details like scratches and dents. These are the most important aspects while reporting a theft at the police station. Thus, it would be easier to identify your laptop. 

Backup Your Data

Confidential information can be more valuable than your laptop. Thus, you must take a backup of all the data stored on your laptop. So, you can use a hard drive or cloud storage online for this purpose. After creating a copy, delete sensitive files from your laptop before traveling. Thus, you don’t have to worry much if your laptop is stolen, unfortunately. 

Use Data Encryption

Data encryption is the best way to prevent unauthorized access to your data. IDs, home address, contact details of your associates, photos, official data, and banking details are sensitive information that one may save on his laptop. If your laptop falls into the wrong hands, then all these data will be used for identity theft. Therefore, encrypt your data with strong passwords. 

Moreover, full-disk encryption will protect all sorts of data stored on your laptop. But, it is not that important unless you work with sensitive data regularly. If it’s difficult to encrypt your file, then select the specific files and use a builtin application for encryption. Use a good mix of numbers, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase letters while creating a password. If it’s difficult to remember the password, then install a password management software. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How to Protect Your Laptop from Physical Damage?

Place your laptop in a laptop bag to protect it from physical damage. A cushioned laptop is a better way to protect a thin and highly sensitive laptop. 

2. How to Travel with a laptop Internationally?

No matter whether you are traveling within the country or beyond national boundaries, the safekeeping ways remain the same. First, you must be careful about protecting the laptop from physical damage. Then think of the confidentiality of the data therein. For that, you can install antivirus software, VPN, theft recovery software, or VPN. Along with this, backup your laptop and buy a travel insurance policy. A security cable lock and hotel safety are other ways to protect your laptop.