Any recommendations for laptop security at school? DS1 always had his laptop locked in his single room in his suite. DS2 will have a traditional dorm with roommate. Not worried so much about the roommate, but what if DS is at the gym, and the roommate has friends over, etc.
norton has a simple anti-theft program that reports back the address where the computer is being used.
My kids never had an issue but your D can certainly use a laptop lock in a double room. I think my S’s computer came with some lojack anti-theft program on (as a free add-on) but you can probably purchase that as well.
If you are looking for software to protect theft, then Frontdoor is a good bet. My Ds school gives them four years protection for free.
Looking more to prevent theft in the first place.
If you can convince him to use it they make laptop locks and cables and you can also dock into a locked docking station. It is a big “if” tho. I found my S did not use it because it came home packed exactly the way I sent it. I believe that a lot of them are stolen however when students leave them for “just a moment” in the library or lounge area. Remind him to NEVER leave it unattended.
Yeah, my parents sent me to school with a rather convoluted laptop lock that never got used. As long as it stays in the dorm room and he/his roommate always lock the door, I wouldn’t be concerned. However, what @Singersmom07 says is an important point. Almost all stolen laptops are stolen from the library or the lounge when someone runs to the bathroom. I always just asked someone nearby to keep an eye on my things, and never had a problem.
And…most schools give students space on their network. A good habit to get into is doing/saving your work there, so if something does happen to your laptop (even not stolen), all your work is still accessible.
We told our kids to keep the laptops out of sight when not in use (e.g. in a drawer or out of sight). I think they did so, as neither of them had any problems with theft. Theft is mostly a crime of opportunity. If your kiddo makes it more inconvenient or difficult for thief, they can well move on to easier prey/pickings. If you keep it out of sight when not in use, that reduces temptation. Keeping the door locked when you are not awake or not in your room is certainly a good idea, IF the folks sharing the room will agree AND remember.
It doesn’t solve the problem of theft, but a dorm insurance policy can make the pain of theft (or dropping the computer, or dumping your mocha frappacino over the keyboard) a lot less painful.
(D made a claim on the policy when some furniture was damaged through water leakage, and I think it was the simplest claims process I’ve ever seen: fill out a simple on-line form, snap some pictures of the damage on the cell phone and picture of the purchase receipt, and get a check about ten days later for the full replacement cost minus the $75 deductible.)
Of course, to have the computer regularly backed up would make it easier if it needs to be replaced.
He has everything backed up to iCloud already. Came in real handy when he broke his phone a while back.
Was it a certain insurance company for students or your home insurance company?
- Get insurance that covers theft (and replacement cost). Like NSSI or some of the others mentioned here.
- Be real. Odds kid will use a cable are low.
- As others have noted, schools make it so easy now to access your documents that fewer kids carry laptops around. They use phones for email, access to their student "dashboard", and a wide variety of other stuff.
All my kids took a foot locker trunk to school that slid under the bed. Laptop and other valuable stuff goes in there.
Simpler (and therefore more likely used) than a convoluted laptop lock.
No way my kids would have schlepped a footlocker out from under their bed every time they went out. No way.
They put their laptops in dressers under clothes. Most thieves are looking for a quick steal.
We also had insurance.
Just had a discussion from kid #3 to older brother and sister about which items did they bring to college that were worthwhile and which were not. Both said they never used the laptop lock we sent with them.
Make suggestions like, “if you need to use the bathroom at the library, take the laptop with you.” Seriously, what’s the big deal about carrying it to the restroom???! Leave the books at the library table!
Give them options like Thumpers above for “hiding” the laptop when not in use. Or better yet, having them lock their rooms when they leave. And ask roommate to do the same. You can’t guard against all possibilities.
Insurance is pretty cheap and a wise investment.
Get a laptop lock cable. They’re cheap and they make the ‘other’ laptop easier to steal so the locked one is less likely to be stolen.
Here’s one for $15 -
One can get a lock with either a combo or a key. Of course it’s only useful if the person will actually bother to lock the laptop with it but they’re very easy to use and put on/take off.
On a side note - after I talked to the police who responded to a neighbor’s burglary the cop said they usually head straight for the clothing drawers and master bathroom since that’s where people ‘hide’ and keep their expensive stuff. I don’t think stashing a laptop in an underwear drawer is really much protection other than it at least makes it not readily apparent and visible and many of these thefts at colleges are ‘targets of opportunity’ situations.
The only thing is I don’t want my roommate thinking that I’m afraid that he’d steal my laptop (although the main reason I’m worried is because I’m afraid he’ll steal my laptop).
Would a laptop lock, lockable chest, and some concealment raise any flags?
There’s nothing wrong with using all those things. It shouldn’t bother your roommate. If you feel uncomfortable, blame your parents: Tell him your parents are paranoid and they’ll kill you if your laptop gets stolen.