Protect Your College Notebook

It used to be that you carried one notebook to write down the pearls of wisdom your teachers imparted during class lectures. In another notebook, you recorded discussions in groups outside of class. In still another notebook, you recorded experiment results.

In yet another notebook or on index cards, you wrote down definitions of the words you were learning in your English or even foreign language classes.  On another set of cards, you would record the research you did in the library for the numerous research or term papers it seems that every teacher in every class demands.  And, in a smaller notebook, you wrote down your class assignments.  You also used to carry texts and reference books to class. Now, you carry everything packed into a tablet laptop computer.  And that computer can even let you access the Internet and read your email during class or even in the college cafeteria between classes.  Notebook computers are one of the best work savers a college student can have.

Unfortunately, due to their high price tags – anywhere from under $1,000 to over $5,000 depending on accessories and capabilities – notebook computers have become the favorite target of college thieves.  Reported on-campus burglaries were a record 29,256 in 2002 — the most recent year tracked by the U.S. Department of Education.  At Yale, laptop theft jumped 37% last year vs. 2002.  At Texas A&M, 15 laptops were stolen from campus buildings during 2003 spring semester alone.  And Stanford saw a rash of laptop thefts last year.  But your notebook does not have to become a college theft statistic.

Here is how to protect it.

Anticipate a theft by recording the make, model and serial number of the machine and any peripheral attached devices and return completed warranty card to the manufacturer. Also, keep these numbers in your wallet or purse so if your computer is stolen, the information will be close at hand for inclusion in the police report. Remember, without the serial number, entry into the National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC) database – the system used nationally by all police departments—is not possible.

In addition, identify your computer. An engraved social security number will lead police directly to you should your laptop ever be recovered.  Understandably, there may be a reluctance to engrave such numbers onto the machine’s surface due to warranty or property transfer issues. Indelible markers or self-destructing tags such as those made by Seaton or Weldon Williams and Lick are also available which will self destruct when removed, leaving an indication on the surface. Seton also manufactures a line of electric branding tools and permanent stencil etching kits useable on many substrate materials commonly used in computer applications.

And, back-up files in your laptop on a regular basis or download critical files to your desktop or server.  Critical and/or confidential files should be kept on floppy disk carried in pocket or purse separate from the laptop.  If such files must be maintained on the laptop, use the password features of your software so they may not be easily entered.  To prevent the theft of your notebook computer, follow these suggestions.

Keep an eye on your computer wherever you are.  It is a hassle but even when going to the bathroom in the college library, pack up your computer and its accessories and take everything with you.  The same applies to the college cafeteria and other public areas.  There are thieves just roaming around college public areas looking for unattended expensive electronics.

In the dorm, keep your laptop away from accessible windows where a thief can quickly break the window, reach in and remove the machine from your desktop.  Placing equipment or furnishings between the computer and the window will delay this "smash and grab" entry attempt and conceal the computer from casual street view through the window. The harder your computer is to quickly grab, the less likely a thief is to even make the attempt.

And, if your dorm room is equipped with a lock, use it any time you are away. It sounds simple, but the fact is that many dorm thefts are crimes of opportunity often committed by other students or even strangers who simply walk through the building during the lunch hour looking for items of value.

The harder you make it for a thief to steal your laptop computer, the less likely he or she is to even attempt to.