How to Secure Your Laptop on a Trip?

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Traveling is the ultimate stress reliever, and everyone needs it now and then. However, several factors pop up when finding a perfect way to secure your trip.

Current times are blessed with the tractions of digital nomads and telecommuters that work on the roll. They only require a laptop and a decent internet connection, and they can work from anywhere. If you travel with your computer, too, there’s no question that you’d want to keep it safe.

One of the most apparent concerns is the physical safety of your device. For instance, you might vigilantly keep an eye on it at the airport or coffee place. However, it is also essential to consider the invisible threats. For instance, while free Wi-Fi at a local café might seem like a bargain, it might cause more issues than expected.

Secure your laptop physically

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Traveling can subject you to many situations that will be out of your comfort zone. And while you, as a human, will think of it as a perk of traveling, your laptop will most probably give up if not well protected. Physically securing your laptop can help you move freely without physically damaging it, becoming a victim of snatchings, or mistakenly spilling your coffee over it.

Getting a lockable anti-theft bag with waterproof and dash-proof features can help you secure your laptop against all the odds mentioned above. You can pick a laptop bag that fits the requirements like size, weight, and purpose (travel or otherwise). A water-resistant and dash-proof bag can help you ensure that your laptop does not get affected if you accidentally spill something on the bag or bump the bag into a wall.

Get travel insurance

Travel insurance might be the wisest investment you’d make before traveling. You’re not expecting trouble while traveling; instead, you’re opting to minimize the casualties should anything happen. Insurance is the ideal way to heal from a loss like a laptop theft. This way, you ensure that an insurance plan covers the property with which you’re traveling.

It’s natural to wonder if you should get travel insurance. It can add to the expense of your travel budget, and you might not even need it. However, remember that you’re trying to minimize the possible casualties, so if you’ve already spent a lot on planning your vacation, and your laptops are worth a lot, too, you should go for it.

Do not save passwords in browsers

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Saving passwords in browsers seems convenient. It lets you quickly access your accounts without having to type in the correct combination. However, it also means that anyone with access to your laptop can log into your accounts. Instead of saving passwords in browsers, try password managers. These applications are convenient and will guarantee instant and secure access to your accounts.

Back-up your data

Our growing reliance on computers and laptops suggests how compact our professional lives have become. And to add to the fact, we keep our lives fully loaded on our computers, be it projects, contracts, documents, or photos and videos.

We’d certainly want them to be secure on our personal computers. However, what if you lose your laptop while traveling? What happens to all those files that practically define your life?

That is why it’s suggested that you back up all your data on a hard drive or cloud storage.

If the information is something that you need to access often, keep it on your cloud and access it with just a click and good internet connectivity. Though in the case of larger files, you don’t need to always access them, you can keep them safe on an external drive and keep the drive back home.

Theft recovery software

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Another way of digitally securing your laptop is to install Find My Device or other theft recovery software on your system. It will allow you to track down whoever stole your laptop and increase the chances of retaining it. Though it may not sound like you need it, having it on your device during travels can help digitally fortify it.

If you’ve invested in advanced theft recovery software, they may even allow you to track your device after it is switched off. You can also access your device’s internal storage and format or delete everything to keep your private data safe from the wrong hands.

Set a strong password for your laptop

A lengthy and complex password should protect your operating system. Even if someone manages to steal your laptop, you want to prevent them from browsing through your files.

Setting a password of 12 characters is the best way to go. Ensure that the combination includes special symbols, numbers, and random letters. Do not use actual words or well-known passwords.

Encrypt or lock specific files and files

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Let’s say a criminal has managed to crack your OS password. There is still hope that they won’t be able to access important documents. You can apply for this protection by locking or encrypting folders on your computer. Creating locked folders and files is easier than you might think. However, you will need a secure password to guarantee the best security.

Use VPN

VPNs are Virtual Private Networks that protect your internet activity, as in your outgoing and incoming data, from the prying eyes of unsecured public Wi-Fi. Installing VPNs gives you a significant advantage over how you surf the internet and keep your activities private, digitally securing your laptop.

So, it is best to install a VPN for Windows before going abroad. Then, you can activate its protection whenever you go online via public Wi-Fi. If you plan to work while traveling, enable VPN protection before you deal with any corporate tasks.

Conclusion

Traveling can only be fun and relieving if you eliminate all the probable stress causes, like securing your laptops and other properties. The best way to start is to physically secure your computer by giving it the bag it deserves. Furthermore, you don’t need to carry it everywhere. You can just as well keep it stashed in your hotel room, hidden from plain sight. Follow the tips in this article to further fortify your laptop’s defenses.