Laptop Security – How to Protect Laptops Wherever You Work

Summary: This 3-minute article explores how to protect laptops concerning their physical protection and cyber security. Contact GEEKAID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geek-aid.com/ to discuss the best IT maintenance solutions for your SMB and all its connected devices.

Laptops have been essential in supporting the dramatic increase in remote-access work spawned by the worldwide pandemic. What laptops sacrifice in power, they make up for with their mobility.

Users often ask, “How long should a laptop last?” and “Do laptops need antivirus software?” The answer to these questions is simple: The more you protect laptops, the longer they will last. However, working out and about exposes your laptop to physical and cyber security threats. But fear not! Several steps can be taken to protect laptops wherever you are using them:

Physical Laptop Protection

Secure Your Laptop – If you are using your laptop in a public and not secure setting and you must step away from it, consider securing it with a “Kensington cable.” These locking cables allow users to secure their laptops to a table to prevent theft. Of course, if you never leave your machine unattended, you might not need to use a cable.
Use a Protective Cover – There are many options for physically protecting a laptop. Adding a protective “skin” is a popular option on the low end. However, skins don’t do much if you drop your laptop. Hard cases are more cumbersome but more likely to protect from physical damage. Many users have special laptop briefcases or backpacks with special padded compartments to protect devices.
Add a Screen Protector With Privacy Screen – A ballistic glass screen protector with a privacy layer offers physical protection for the screen and makes it difficult for someone to see what you’re working on from either side of you.

Cyber Security Protections

Password Security – Always require a password for logging into a laptop. Password protection is perhaps the most basic protective measure everyone should use. If you log in and out regularly, you will prevent others from accessing your computer and private data.
Hard Drive Encryption – Without protection, hackers can remove your hard drive and get past your login credentials. But, by using an encrypted hard drive, if your laptop is stolen, cybercriminals will have a much harder time reading your data.
Password-Protected Screen Savers – Everyone knows what a screensaver is. It can be set to come onto your laptop screen whenever your machine has been idle for a pre-specified amount of time. Without password protection, a touch of any key will bring the screen back to work mode. However, when exiting your screen savers, a password should be required to exit the screen saver mode.
Always Backup Your Data – Regularly backing up your data could be the most important action to protect your laptop (and other devices). With a current backup, a damaged, lost or stolen laptop’s data can be reinstalled on another computer. Backups can be copied to external drives or in the Cloud. For Macs (iOS), using “Time Machine” backup allows the user to have the data and folders reinstalled precisely where it was before the event.
Install All Updates – Many updates to the existing system and application software contain “security fixes” for previously reported vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is well worth your time to install all necessary updates.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – VPNs afford users a high degree of anonymity by creating a “tunnel” network within your network. VPNs encrypt data and transmit it to a server in another city or country, where that server re-encrypts it and sends it from there. As a result, anyone trying to hack into your network or spy on your actions will be unable to locate your IP address and location. VPNs are affordable protection for your online work.
Think Before You Click – Best practices for safe computer use apply to all your remote work, just as they should in your home or office. For example, resist clicking on attachments or links sent in emails without first checking the sender's authenticity. Malware thrives when users impulsively click on items without being sure they are from a trusted source.

Laptop Protection and Computer Repairs

IT Maintenance is essential to a fast, secure and smoothly running computer system and network. Devices used remotely are more vulnerable than those used on your home or office network. Laptops and all connected devices on your network or used for doing business must be maintained regularly. They must also be analyzed for speed, ease of access and operation, established security protocols and defenses to protect your hard-earned business data. With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your systems is imperative for a small to midsized business. Your IT support team can train your staff, update your software, inspect and monitor your hardware and provide iron-clad cyber security for all your devices and networks. GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized Managed IT Services for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®'s team of experts is comprised of top specialists in different areas of IT

IT Consulting Services

There are affordable options to help manage all your IT needs, from PCs and laptops to cell phones and tablets. GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized IT Consulting Services for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®’s team of experts is comprised of specialists in different areas of IT services, serving clients on-site and remotely. The GEEK-AID^® team doesn’t clock out at five o’clock on Friday. They are available 24/7 to ensure your computers, network and data stay healthy and secure. As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability and need for regular IT support will grow, too. Hardware and software installation and maintenance, repair, security and network protection must be consistent, proactive and not wait for a system failure or data breach to throw your small to midsized business into crisis management and recovery mode.

Call (877) GEEK-AID (877-433-5243) to evaluate and discuss your IT support needs and the steps necessary to secure your computer system and all its devices.