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Cyber Security Tip ST04-017
Protecting Portable Devices: Physical Security
Many computer users, especially those who travel for business, rely on
laptops and PDAs because they are small and easily transported. But while
these characteristics make them popular and convenient, they also make them
an ideal target for thieves. Make sure to secure your portable devices to
protect both the machine and the information it contains.
What is at risk?
Only you can determine what is actually at risk. If a thief steals your
laptop or PDA, the most obvious loss is the machine itself. However, if the
thief is able to access the information on the computer or PDA, all of the
information stored on the device is at risk, as well as any additional
information that could be accessed as a result of the data stored on the
device itself.
Sensitive corporate information or customer account information should not
be accessed by unauthorized people. You've probably heard news stories about
organizations panicking because laptops with confidential information on
them have been lost or stolen. But even if there isn't any sensitive
corporate information on your laptop or PDA, think of the other information
at risk: information about appointments, passwords, email addresses and
other contact information, personal information for online accounts, etc.
How can you protect your laptop or PDA?
* Password-protect your computer - Make sure that you have to enter a
password to log in to your computer or PDA (see Choosing and Protecting
Passwords for more information).
* Keep your laptop or PDA with you at all times - When traveling, keep
your laptop with you. Meal times are optimum times for thieves to check
hotel rooms for unattended laptops. If you are attending a conference or
trade show, be especially waryâ??these venues offer thieves a wider
selection of devices that are likely to contain sensitive information,
and the conference sessions offer more opportunities for thieves to
access guest rooms.
* Downplay your laptop or PDA - There is no need to advertise to thieves
that you have a laptop or PDA. Avoid using your portable device in
public areas, and consider non-traditional bags for carrying your
laptop.
* Be aware of your surroundings - If you do use your laptop or PDA in a
public area, pay attention to people around you. Take precautions to
shield yourself from "shoulder surfers"â??make sure that no one can see
you type your passwords or see any sensitive information on your screen.
* Consider an alarm or lock - Many companies sell alarms or locks that you
can use to protect or secure your laptop. If you travel often or will be
in a heavily populated area, you may want to consider investing in an
alarm for your laptop bag or a lock to secure your laptop to a piece of
furniture.
* Back up your files - If your portable device is stolen, it's bad enough
that someone else may be able to access your information. To avoid
losing all of the information, make backups of important information and
store the backups in a separate location (see Good Security Habits for
more information). Not only will you still be able to access the
information, but you'll be able to identify and report exactly what
information is at risk.
What can you do if your laptop or PDA is lost or stolen?
Report the loss or theft to the appropriate authorities. These parties may
include representatives from law enforcement agencies, as well as hotel or
conference staff. If your device contained sensitive corporate or customer
account information, immediately report the loss or theft to your
organization so that they can act quickly.
_________________________________________________________________
Author: Mindi McDowell
_________________________________________________________________
Produced 2004 by US-CERT, a government organization.
Note: This tip was previously published and is being
re-distributed to increase awareness.
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