(ARA) - Most travelers bring along their expensive laptops on business trips and vacations but do not consider that thousands of laptops are stolen from airports every week. Thieves are ready to capitalize on the chaos and large numbers of travelers at most airports throughout the year.

"More and more travelers will be taking to the road with their laptops in tow throughout the year," says John Livingston, chairman and chief executive officer of Absolute Software, a firm specializing in computer theft recovery, data protection and IT asset management. "Unfortunately, many of these people will fall victim to laptop loss or theft. On top of the financial cost, the potential data loss, security issues and identity theft associated with a missing computer can seriously worsen the situation -- and have far-reaching consequences for individuals and companies alike."

At airports alone, 12,000 laptops a week are lost according to a survey by the Ponemon Institute. And, that number is sure to increase as laptops become more popular and lightweight, making them much easier to take along on trips.

While the loss of an expensive laptop can dampen anybody's spirit, the potential for identity theft will hang over the victim's head throughout the year. Credit card, Social Security and bank account numbers are just some of the pieces of sensitive information that can be lifted from a stolen computer.

Because of the vital role computers play in our everyday lives, and the amount of sensitive information kept on them, Absolute offers these travel tips:

1. While traveling, back up your data as frequently as possible to minimize the risk of data loss in the event that your laptop is stolen. Use an encrypted thumb drive to back up sensitive or valuable files and keep it separate from your laptop. Because the information stored on the computer is often more valuable than the computer itself, it is important to treat the data with as much care as possible.

2. Use laptop recovery and data protection software. Laptop recovery tools are highly effective in the event thieves do make off with your computer. If you've installed Absolute Software's Computrace LoJack for Laptops, it can report a laptop's location information, helping the Absolute Recovery Team to track down and recover the device with the help of the police. And, while the laptop is being recovered, Absolute can also remotely wipe sensitive information from the hard drive, keeping it out of thieves' hands.

3. Keep your technical gear with you. Checking your tech gear with your luggage is a big gamble. Apart from not having your valuable and expensive gear under your control, baggage handlers don't know what is in your bag. You run the risk of having your gear broken or stolen in transit. Keep your computer inconspicuous. Laptops especially should always be carried in nondescript carrying cases, such as backpacks or tote bags, instead of tell-tale laptop bags. And, if you have to keep your laptop in your car, put it in the trunk before you arrive at your destination.

4. Clearly label your laptop to distinguish it from others at security checkpoints. Labeling the laptop itself will help you find it among other laptops once through the metal detectors. Make sure to put your name, contact information and address on the label, as most airport lost-and-founds won't power up the computer to find out whom it belongs to.

5. Ask to put your laptop and technical gear in the hotel safe when you're not using it. Most hotels have a safe that guests can use in their room or at the front desk. When making a reservation, ask whether the hotel offers this service. If they do not, stow your laptop in a secure cabinet in the room.

6. If you are using a public computer, be aware of keyboard loggers/trackers. Identity thieves will often install keyboard loggers on to public computers (like those in hotels or public libraries). These programs invisibly track the keystrokes of unsuspecting victims. A thief can come back at any time and see where you've been on the Internet and gather the username and passwords you've entered.

7. Do not log on to unsecured wireless networks. If the wireless network you're logging on to doesn't require you to enter a password, don't log on to it. Unsecured networks are a two-way street. Anyone can access the network, and anyone on the network can access your computer, and subsequently your information.

8. Avoid accessing financial or banking records while traveling, especially on public wireless networks. This will help prevent your bank records and financial information from winding up in the wrong hands.

9. Clicking "remember me" on Web sites, or allowing the Internet browser to remember passwords or usernames, negates the security those username and passwords offer. If a thief gets a hold of your computer, they will have the ability to easily steal your online (and possibly offline) identity.

10. Clear your history and cache after using a Web browser. Web browsers remember everything about your session even after you've logged off. Before ending an Internet session, particularly on a public computer, clear the private data (cookies, history, Internet files) stored in the browser. This can be accessed through the "tools" menu on most Web browsers.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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