Experts say it's easy to protect your laptop computer

It only takes a few key strokes to protect your laptop computer. And that can end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run if it's lost or stolen, area computer experts say.
 
Loss of money because of identity theft, not to mention the cost of the laptop, could be financially devastating.
 
Disabling automatic logins and using sophisticated passwords for your private information is one of the first things someone can do to stay safe, said Neil Tucker, owner of Colorado River Technologies Inc., a firm that specializes in computer security.
 
Having a password isn't necessary, but Tucker said that's one of the easiest ways someone can protect themselves. Without it, Tucker said it's very easy for someone to get personal information off a computer.
 
"It's like leaving the keys in the front seat of your car," Tucker said.
 
Tucker said sophisticated passwords are harder for thieves to crack.
 
If the password has at least one capital letter, at least one lower case latter, and at least one digit, Tucker said it will take a thief 56 billion guesses to get it right.
 
"The harder it is for you, the harder it is for someone else," Tucker said.
 
And it's not likely you'll get the computer back if it's stolen, he said. According to the annual Computer Security Institute Survey, less than 3 percent of stolen laptops are recovered, Tucker said.
 
Yuma police said while it's not a trend, there have been at least two reports of laptop computer theft since October. The most recent on Jan. 6, when someone robbed a man using his laptop computer in a park near Avenue B. In October, burglars took six laptop computers and other electronic equipment from Centennial Middle school.
 
It's a laptop's street value that makes it ideal for thieves, said Officer Clint Norred, public information officer for Yuma.
 
"I see the ability to move it, and trade it and barter it," Norred said. "These are expensive pieces of equipment."
 
Setting up a BIOS password, which would require the user to log in before running or installing a program, is another thing a person can do, said Bob Rider, owner of Network Solutions, Yuma.
 
Rider said most people would have to take it to a computer store to get around that. He said they're stern when someone doesn't know the password to their own laptop computer.
 
"That makes us very curious," Rider said.
 
To help identify the owner, Rider suggests putting contact information in the laptop, not just the person's name.
 
In the event that a laptop is stolen, Tucker said there is recovery software that can help locate the laptop.
 
He said the computer "checks in" periodically with the software manufacture's site when the computer eventually gets on the Internet.

But the software can't work if someone doesn't use it.
 
Norred said being vigilant of your surroundings can help prevent theft. But, he said, that people should always be aware of what's going on around them.
 
"You kind of have to keep your eye out on what's going on around you," Norred said. "And not tunnel visioned in to whatever you're doing."
 
He said if someone does want to steal your property, give up the property, cooperate, don't panic, and take good mental notes about what they look like and what they're wearing.
 
"Ultimately, you want to walk away from the incident unharmed," Norred said. 


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Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.