Thinking of upgrading your door security? Getting a better deadbolt or padlock? Getting a new frame or better hinges? Not sure what brand or model to go with for your particular application? Need a recommendation? Feel free to ask for advice here!
I recently got a laptop I want to use to do stuff at college. All the usual precautions (Encrypted drive, removed wifi and bluetooth modules, removed webcam and mic, disabled USB ports, heavily set-up firewall etc etc) have been taken, and now I just need a lock to secure it in place (Not that I intend to leave it alone, but just in case).
Thing is, I still don't know if there is such a thing as a good laptop lock. At all. I know how to open some of those myself and the rest of them look like something you can break by just staring for a minute.
Given that those worth less than $30 are just cheap plastic crap you can kick and remove and that paying $100 for a laptop lock seems unreasonable since the laptop itself is not even worth that much, Do you have any recommendations? Are they any good? Is there a good laptop lock somewhere?
Don't let the 'maximum $100' thing stop you from posting cool stuff tho, other than the practical issue of finding one I can buy and use I am really curious to know if these kind of locks are an actual security measure or just a 'feel better' gimmick.
Edit: Looking for opinions online I've only found reviews by standard PC magazines, with comments such as "It has a 4 digit combination dial, making it impossible to open unless you know the combination" (On a $10 lock). As you imagine I don't trust these reviews very much and I'd rather hear your opinion on this.
I am yet to meet a good one. The thing is so long it's fixed with a cable, not matter what locks is on it thsoe steel cable are far from secure. Combination lock can be shimmed or bypassed usually, and most pin tumblers in that range is not too secure. The tiiny size can bea challange though! Anyway so long it's fixed with a cable which can be snapped...
They might be worth sth, but I wouldn't just leave my laptop there. Maybe if it was a closed library (like the faculty one with cctv), but even then only for a short time and if I had a buddy nearby whom I could ask to keep an eye on it.
Kensington has learned that ACE style tubular locks are too easy to pick, so now they offer a lock that looks like an Abloy Disklock key, but with only 3 or 4 discs. Still harder to pick for most folks who are only used to seeing traditional pin tumbler or tubular locks.
ARF-GEF wrote:I am yet to meet a good one. The thing is so long it's fixed with a cable, not matter what locks is on it thsoe steel cable are far from secure. Combination lock can be shimmed or bypassed usually, and most pin tumblers in that range is not too secure. The tiiny size can bea challange though! Anyway so long it's fixed with a cable which can be snapped...
They might be worth sth, but I wouldn't just leave my laptop there. Maybe if it was a closed library (like the faculty one with cctv), but even then only for a short time and if I had a buddy nearby whom I could ask to keep an eye on it.
I'm curious if there is a safe one though
F(AR;GE)
Well yes, I've always understood that the idea for these locks is to prevent someone from just taking your stuff and walking away, not permanently fixing it to a piece of furniture. As I said I don't intend to leave the laptop alone, it's just to prevent someone from taking it if an unpredicted bowel emergency arises and I have to walk away for two minutes as soon as possible.
I'll be using it mostly in the library. There are CCTV cameras throughout the place and some of the staff know me and would obviously ask if they see someone fiddling with my stuff. There are virtually zero thefts in the place as far as I know, I always end seating between people with unsecured expensive laptops (Specially macbook pros, thieves love those!) and the spot I usually take is probably the worst to steal from, so I think it is reasonably safe. Also probably people would ask questions if they saw someone walking around with a pair of bolt cutters, but since I saw that guy fiddling with one of the RFID locks without anyone telling him a thing I'm not very sure of that last one
@Squelchtone: Looks decent, I'll look it up. Thank you
I have one of these. http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/p/1386/K64637WW/clicksafe%C2%AE-laptop-lock.aspx#.UtAnRZ5dXTQ. It looks about average or maybe slightly better than average in terms of the cable and interface with the security slot. It has a disc detainer with 6 discs (1 is probably a control/profile disc) so it should be somewhat hard to pick without special tools. The nice thing about this setup is the stud that mounts to the laptop's security slot so connecting the lock is pretty easy. As with all of these, it's not great security but in most cases, having the laptop locked is probably enough to prevent a casual theft attempt.
To be honest they are more of a visual deterrent they are all easy to get off. Just remember a thief wont pick it they will use a cutter or take the entire bag.
To be honest they are more of a visual deterrent they are all easy to get off. Just remember a thief wont pick it they will use a cutter or take the entire bag.
+1 on that, but the kensington by Squelch does look like a better one.
To be honest they are more of a visual deterrent they are all easy to get off. Just remember a thief wont pick it they will use a cutter or take the entire bag.
+1 on that, but the kensington by Squelch does look like a better one.
Thanks, and I'm not sure if spandexwarrior saw my post.. its not the exact same one as his but same family.
The site claims his is easier to use meaning the user can walk up and easily click it in, but how the f do you unlock it when you are done? I think it would need the key at that point.
Achifaifa wrote:I recently got a laptop I want to use to do stuff at college. All the usual precautions (Encrypted drive, removed wifi and bluetooth modules, removed webcam and mic, disabled USB ports, heavily set-up firewall etc etc) have been taken, and now I just need a lock to secure it in place (Not that I intend to leave it alone, but just in case).
Thing is, I still don't know if there is such a thing as a good laptop lock. At all. I know how to open some of those myself and the rest of them look like something you can break by just staring for a minute.
That would be an interesting idea for a project. I've recently been doing luggage locks, to find one worth using.
But what I know of them, they are very easy to break with pliers most of the time, regardless of the type of lock being used.
Leaving hardware unattended is probably the worst thing for computer security.
Even with all your modifications, it would still be trivial for anybody with knowledge and skill to take it and access it. When I get a new computer, I wipe the drive and set it up the way I want anyway, and I imagine a thief would do the same (except for the really stupid ones).
Given that those worth less than $30 are just cheap plastic crap you can kick and remove and that paying $100 for a laptop lock seems unreasonable since the laptop itself is not even worth that much, Do you have any recommendations? Are they any good? Is there a good laptop lock somewhere?
Don't let the 'maximum $100' thing stop you from posting cool stuff tho, other than the practical issue of finding one I can buy and use I am really curious to know if these kind of locks are an actual security measure or just a 'feel better' gimmick.
I'm sure there are things available, but a computer is inherently not secure when one has physical access to it. You'd have to encase it in something (for your laptop, consider how easy the hard drive is to remove as it is...usually two screws on the side or bottom and it slides right out).
You are probably not looking for something like that (and I have no particular recommendations).
Edit: Looking for opinions online I've only found reviews by standard PC magazines, with comments such as "It has a 4 digit combination dial, making it impossible to open unless you know the combination" (On a $10 lock). As you imagine I don't trust these reviews very much and I'd rather hear your opinion on this.
I would not put a lot of stake in a lock of this kind, unless there is a higher class of lock available. I would recommend making the laptop recoverable. Record serial numbers, personalize the case, make it scream out "if I am stolen, everybody will know".
A cheap lock would then be sufficient to prevent it from walking away due to pranksters, mistakes, thieves with very poor impulse control, etc.
For security, there are two aspects:
* The computer itself being stolen * Your data being compromised
Laptops are portable, compact, and attractive targets for thieves. Plus, they can get lost or left behind. The possibility of you losing possession of it should be understood to be a risk which you cannot entirely eliminate.
Making sure your data is secure, with encryption, especially any saved passwords or credentials. Try to make it secure when it is off, and if someone manages to access it while you are logged in. If you turn around, and I someone has access to your account for a few minutes, what could they get? With passwords being saved, syncing, and other modern features, it opens up a slew of security concerns. (Quick note: don't use Google Chrome to save passwords)
Also, if you do use those kinds of services, having everything documented so you can disable the laptop's ability to access those services would be a good idea. Or limit what the laptop can access. Whatever fits your use of it.
That would be an interesting idea for a project. I've recently been doing luggage locks, to find one worth using.
(Quick note: don't use Google Chrome to save passwords)
My beef with luggage locks is not with the lock, but the fact that they mainly are used to lock two zippers together. If I was interested in securing my luggage, I'd probably go this route and get a hard suitcase that accepted standard size locks:
Of course, I understand that small locks have other applications than zippers, but with regard to small locks for the purpose of luggage, I felt this to be worth mentioning.
Side note: Could I ask why Google Chrome is a bad choice for saving passwords? I'd PM the question, but that appears not to be enabled, feel free to email me at youluckyfox@gmail.com if you'd like.
Last edited by YouLuckyFox on 10 Jan 2014 20:01, edited 1 time in total.
That would be an interesting idea for a project. I've recently been doing luggage locks, to find one worth using.
(Quick note: don't use Google Chrome to save passwords)
My beef with luggage locks is not with the lock, but the fact that they mainly are used to lock two zippers together. If I was interested in securing my luggage, I'd probably go this route and get a hard suitcase that accepted standard size locks:
Well, the purpose of a luggage lock is not as a defense against destructive entry (luggage is easy to break into anyway), but as a seal, to assure that the luggage was not tampered with.
Getting your stuff stolen is not the issue as far as I see. Claiming your luggage, and claiming you packed it, and then having to explain the contraband in it ("it isn't mine!" doesn't work well) is the issue.
Imagine you are a bad guy, wanting to get your drugs or whatever through. What do you do? Have an unsuspecting person do it and you can reclaim it later. If they get caught, well, you'll be long gone even if they figure out it wasn't the person detained.
This is lock those who have illegal and immoral files to share, but they enlist unsuspecting computers for the actual storage and transmission of those files.
Side note: Could I ask why Google Chrome is a bad choice for saving passwords? I'd PM the question, but that appears not to be enabled, feel free to email me at youluckyfox@gmail.com if you'd like.
I'd recommend not using it, and using another browser or another application which requires authentication to access passwords and encrypts the data.
I'll check my PM settings. I thought they were enabled.
NOTE: About the passwords, the idea is that while nothing is 100% secure, one should understand the risks. For computers which are potentially physically accessed by others, there are certain things to consider. While you probably couldn't stop someone skilled or motivated from stealing your stuff, the bigger concern is the integrity of some types of data, such as financial and credentials. If someone has your hard drive or SSD, you should be confident that they cannot continue to do bad things to you. Google Chrome (among others) is not very upfront about exactly what security is provided, and it is easy to think it is secure, when it is not.
make you think you are more "secure".. nope.. the machine has a firewall so there must be some network connectivity, and ethernet is just as vulnerable as wifi is (plus it's harder to find now a days)
use wifi / use a vpn / https
it just sounds like overkill for data which does not seem to mandate the level of security being proposed..
