How to protect yourself if your laptop is stolen or lost

How to Protect Yourself if Your Laptop is Stolen

According to Security Boulevard, a laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. Lost or stolen laptops can lead to serious cybersecurity issues. 86% of IT professionals report that someone in their organization has lost or stolen a computer, and 56% of them indicated that this resulted in a data breach.

As more businesses adopt hybrid working policies, allowing employees to “work from anywhere,” the risk of laptop theft has significantly increased. Employees frequently carry laptops to and from work, often using public transport, which creates numerous opportunities for theft.

Laptops often contain crucial company data. If stolen and used maliciously, this could lead to a data breach, as cybercriminals may sell your confidential information on the dark web. Such incidents could cost you financially, damage customer relationships, and result in fines from authorities for breaching compliance regulations. The potential consequences are serious, and taking steps to prevent them is essential.

So, what can you do to protect yourself if your laptop is lost or stolen? Here are some immediate steps and preventive measures you can take:

Immediate Steps

If you are reading this because your laptop has been stolen, it’s crucial to take the following immediate actions to protect your data:

1. Change Your Passwords: Start with your email and change passwords for your bank accounts, social media, and messaging apps.
2. File a Police Report: Notify law enforcement and inform your company if the laptop is used for business purposes.
3. Monitor Your Bank Accounts: Monitor your financial accounts and consider placing a fraud alert.

7 Ways to Protect Your Data in Advance

If you frequently use a laptop and want to safeguard your data in case of theft or loss, consider the following preventive measures. These may also assist in recovering your laptop:

1. Encrypt Your Data: Password-protecting your laptop isn’t enough, as it can be easily bypassed. Instead, encrypt your data so that only authorized parties can access it. At Netstar, we offer managed device encryption, which ensures that if your device is lost or stolen, we can encrypt all data to make it nonsensical to cyber criminals. If your device is later recovered, the data can be quickly decrypted.
2. Use Security Cables: Most laptops have a slot for a security cable, which can be locked to secure your device. While it may not deter a determined thief, it acts as an additional layer of protection and may discourage casual theft.
3. Tag Your Laptop: Place a label with a toll-free contact number on your device. If someone finds your laptop, they can easily reach out to return it. There are various services available to assist with this.
4. Utilize Tracking Software: Install advanced tracking software to help locate, lock down, and recover your stolen device. This software is often complicated for thieves to detect and is a small cost compared to replacing a laptop or recovering lost data.
5. Record Model and Serial Numbers: Record your device’s model and serial numbers. This information will be helpful when filing a police report and will make it easier for law enforcement to identify your laptop if it is found.
6. Back-Up Your Data: Avoid saving data solely on your laptop, as you could lose vital information if it goes missing. Having a backup system in place is crucial. We recommend using cloud storage, which allows access to your data from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, consider implementing a robust backup and disaster recovery solution.
7. Practice Common Sense: Stay vigilant! Keep your laptop by your side at all times. Check for it whenever you leave a conference room, train, bus, or café. Avoid leaving your computer in plain sight on a car seat, and be cautious at airports—always guard your laptop bag carefully.

By following these steps, you can help safeguard your data and minimize the risks associated with laptop theft. Remember, you play a crucial role in protecting your data, and these steps can make a significant difference.